Ecuador Locates 26 Fishermen After U.S. Operation as Families Challenge Drug-Trafficking Claims

Ecuador’s navy located 26 crew members from the fishing vessel María Candelaria after U.S. security forces intercepted it over alleged links to drug-trafficking groups, authorities said Sunday.

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Priority

The crew was taken to the port city of Manta. Two people received “priority” medical attention for pre-existing health problems, while the others remained at a navy coast guard facility, the navy said.

The María Candelaria was the fourth vessel subjected to confirmed U.S. operations in the Pacific over the previous 10 days, conducted in coordination with Ecuadorian authorities. The U.S. Southern Command said the intercepted boats, including the OM2 and Los Tres Hermanos, operated as “floating refueling stations for multiple vessels supporting illicit drug-trafficking operations.” The boats were linked to Los Choneros, which the United States designates as a foreign terrorist organization.

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Floating refueling stations for multiple vessels supporting illicit drug-trafficking operations

Ecuador’s Defense Ministry has endorsed that account. Fishermen, relatives and human rights organizations have rejected the accusations. César Mero, a relative of one of the María Candelaria fishermen, said Sunday that “the boat was carrying absolutely nothing” and complained that they were being bombed “without any evidence.”

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The boat was carrying absolutely nothing

The navy also located eight fishermen from the Conquista II after relatives demanded information about their whereabouts. The men “moved away from the vessel” in four small rustic boats while U.S. forces carried out a maritime intervention on Wednesday, the navy said. The cases follow three other vessels whose crews say they were intercepted by U.S. forces this year. Eight fishermen from the Fiorella have remained missing since January, while others returned to Ecuador after being sent to El Salvador.

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Without any evidence