The U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) announced the sinking of a vessel used as a “floating refueling station” tied to drug trafficking on Tuesday. This operation took place on September 8 under the leadership of Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere (JTF-WHEM).
SOUTHCOM detailed, through a post on X, that the interdicted vessel supported illegal drug trafficking in the Eastern Pacific. Intelligence identified the vessel’s connection with the Los Choneros, a well-known violent narco-terrorist group. Post interception, personnel from the vessel were handed over to Ecuadorian authorities. Following a thorough check and crew evacuation, the U.S. forces sank the vessel.
A video released by the U.S. Southern Command depicted the vessel’s sinking on September 8, 2026.
“JTF-WHEM continues to conduct precise and professional operations to dismantle the logistical networks fueling narco-trafficking in the Western Hemisphere,” SOUTHCOM mentioned.
This marks the latest update in a series of operations where the U.S. has been targeting refueling vessels linked to the Los Choneros, recognized as a foreign terrorist group.
The group, based in Ecuador, is a significant cause of violence in the country. According to a counterterrorism guide, Los Choneros is involved in various criminal activities such as contract killings, kidnappings, political murder, and smuggling of arms, explosives, and narcotics.
Los Choneros also operate through prisons and illegal gold mines, collaborating with other criminal organizations like the Sinaloa Cartel in Mexico and Albanian cartels to distribute drugs worldwide.
Alex Nitzberg contributes as a writer for Fox News Digital.
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