Video: U.S. military sank an Ecuadorian drug cartel's floating refueling station in the Pacific Ocean
The U.S. Navy, in coordination with the Ecuadorian government, intercepted and sank a vessel in international waters in the eastern Pacific Ocean, which was being used as a floating refueling station to support the smuggling operations of the Ecuadorian drug cartel “Los Choneros.”
The operation was conducted under the leadership of the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) as part of the activities of the Western Hemisphere Joint Task Force.
U.S. military personnel from the amphibious assault ship USS San Antonio (LPD 17) boarded the vessel, searched it, and cleared it. The people on board were safely evacuated and handed over to Ecuadorian law enforcement authorities, after which the vessel was sunk. Command officials emphasized that the destruction of the vessel eliminated a critical node in the drug traffickers’ logistics network and is part of the U.S.-led coalition’s systematic efforts to combat cartels and neutralize narco-terrorist groups in the region.
On Sept. 2, under the direction of #SOUTHCOM Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, and in coordination and collaboration with the Government of Ecuador, Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere (JTF-WHEM) successfully interdicted a vessel operating as a floating refueling station in support… pic.twitter.com/io55pvWff0
— U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) September 2, 2026
Source: SOUTHCOM.
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