Ecuadorian fishermen allege attacks by US forces at sea
Fishermen from Ecuador report being detained and having their boats destroyed by US military drones and personnel, as the US expands its anti-drug campaign. One fisherman, Jose Hernan Flores, says his vessel was attacked in March, and he and his crew were handcuffed and blindfolded before being handed over to Salvadoran navy and deported. The US has not commented on these claims.
Flores was piloting his vessel with a 16-man crew when drones struck, injuring two sailors. After abandoning ship, they were detained by US-uniformed personnel, treated, then transferred to Salvadoran authorities and deported. His $400,000 boat was destroyed, leaving him with an outstanding loan.
Washington has escalated maritime strikes across the eastern Pacific and Caribbean under the current administration. Ecuador's position between major coca-producing nations makes it a key transit hub. Recent diplomatic visits brought pledges of $45 million in security aid and elite US forces to support local counter-narcotics efforts.
Escalating US maritime operations could place Ecuadorian fishermen at greater physical risk and economic ruin, as destroyed vessels like Flores's represent life-altering debts for families. Such incidents may undermine local confidence in joint security initiatives, potentially weakening the effectiveness of anti-drug campaigns. If these claims remain unresolved, diplomatic tensions between Washington and Quito could rise, affecting the flow of promised military assistance and regional stability.