US intercepts vessel linked to Los Choneros in Pacific operation with Ecuador

US forces intercepted and boarded a vessel that American intelligence linked to Los Choneros during a joint operation with Ecuador in the eastern Pacific.

The operation took place on Sept. 2 in international waters and was carried out by the Joint Task Force-Western Hemisphere under the direction of Southern Command chief Francis L. Donovan. The vessel allegedly served as a floating refueling station supporting offshore drug-trafficking operations. US intelligence also identified it as operating in support of Los Choneros, an Ecuadorian criminal organization that the United States classifies as a narco-terrorist group.

Marines and sailors deployed from the USS San Antonio participated in the interdiction. US forces intercepted, boarded, searched and secured the vessel without reported incidents. Those aboard were removed and safely transferred to Ecuadorian authorities, according to Southern Command.

After securing the vessel, US forces sank it. Southern Command said the action disrupted what it described as a critical point in traffickers’ logistics chain. Its statement did not specify what drug cargo the vessel may have carried or identify Los Choneros members directly connected to it.

The operation was presented as part of the objectives of the Americas Counter-Trafficking Coalition and the Joint Task Force-Western Hemisphere. Donovan said the action formed part of a strategy to disrupt logistics structures used by criminal organizations to move drugs and expand their operations in the region. The interception also comes amid increased security cooperation between Ecuador and the United States.

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The action disrupted a critical point in the traffickers’ logistics chain.