28 Crew Members Reach Ecuador After U.S. Forces Sink Two Boats at Sea

Twenty-eight men from two boats intercepted and sunk by U.S. forces in the Pacific arrived in the Ecuadorian port city of Manta, as relatives gathered to reject accusations that they were involved in drug trafficking.

The Ecuadorian Navy said nine people from the Conquista II and 19 from the OM2 reached Manta aboard a coastguard vessel at about 3 p.m. local time on Friday. Authorities carried out the relevant procedures after their arrival, the Navy said without providing further details. Local media reported that the men were taken to a police facility. Eight other people from the Conquista II were still traveling toward the port on another vessel.

The 28 men were detained between Wednesday and Thursday by the U.S. Joint Task Force-Western Hemisphere after American forces intercepted the boats. U.S. Southern Command said the vessels allegedly operated as floating refueling stations and supported drug-trafficking operations for Los Choneros, described in the report as Ecuador’s oldest criminal group.

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This is the result of an investigation. These boats were used as logistics for other small boats that would tie up to them, loaded with drugs, and then leave for Mexican ports and later the United States. This is work carried out through international cooperation.

Interior Minister John Reimberg said the action followed an investigation. He said the boats had been used as logistical support for smaller vessels carrying drugs, which would then travel toward Mexican ports and eventually the United States, in an operation carried out through international cooperation.

Relatives insisted that the detainees were fishermen who had gone out to work. “What does President Daniel Noboa want? For the entire fishing community to go out and steal because there is no work? This is the family’s only livelihood,” one relative told reporters outside the Manta port captaincy. Families displayed signs reading, “No to the abuse of our fishermen” and “They are innocent, they are not criminals.”

A habeas corpus hearing was scheduled for Saturday. Relatives of the Conquista II crew hope the court will declare that the fishermen were victims of enforced disappearance and order their release if they were detained without a warrant or sufficient legal grounds. Relatives of eight Ecuadorian fishermen who have been missing at sea since January also attended the demonstration.

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What does President Daniel Noboa want? For the entire fishing community to go out and steal because there is no work? This is the family’s only livelihood.