The US military has sunk a third boat allegedly belonging to the Ecuadoran gang Los Choneros in the Pacific Ocean, according to US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM). This latest operation follows two similar actions taken last week, marking an intensified campaign against the drug-trafficking organization. The vessel, identified as a floating refueling station supporting illicit at-sea drug trafficking, was intercepted and destroyed in international waters of the Eastern Pacific.
Intelligence confirmed that the vessel was operating in support of Los Choneros, a violent narco-terrorist organization with ties to Mexico's Sinaloa cartel. An unspecified number of individuals aboard the boat were removed and transferred to authorities in Ecuador before the vessel was sunk. The operation involved a helicopter and a boat carrying military personnel, culminating in an explosion that sent a massive plume of smoke into the air, as shown in video footage posted by US forces.
Since last year, strikes on alleged drug-running boats have resulted in more than 200 deaths. Ecuador's Navy has assisted US operations, receiving 28 crew members from two vessels identified as Conquista II and OM2. Despite these actions, the US administration has not provided definitive evidence that the targeted vessels are involved in drug trafficking. Human Rights Watch reported that at least eight people went missing after US forces attacked three other Ecuadoran vessels between January and March, a claim Washington rejects.
Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa, a close ally of US President Donald Trump, joined the 'Shield of the Americas' coalition in March, a Washington-led initiative to combat drug trafficking in the region. The ongoing operations reflect the collaborative efforts between the US and Ecuador to disrupt drug trafficking networks. However, the lack of definitive evidence and reports of missing persons raise questions about the effectiveness and transparency of these operations.
The intensified US campaign against Los Choneros underscores the complexities of international drug trafficking and the challenges of combating organized crime. The collaboration between the US and Ecuador highlights the shared commitment to addressing these threats, though the methods and outcomes of such operations continue to be scrutinized.
For Bangladeshi readers, this development underscores the global nature of drug trafficking and the efforts of international coalitions to combat it. The involvement of major powers like the US and regional allies like Ecuador demonstrates the transnational scope of these criminal networks and the need for coordinated international responses.
