US involved in fishing boat attacks off Ecuador, Human Rights Watch report claims

By the Editorial Team · Wednesday, July 22, 2026

Human Rights Watch alleges that the United States was involved in attacks on three Ecuadorian fishing boats earlier this year, resulting in at least eight crew members missing, and accuses the US-backed Ecuadorian military of torturing detainees during an anti-crime operation near the Colombia border. These findings raise serious concerns about the legality and oversight of US military actions in Latin America, prompting calls for transparency and congressional investigation.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has reported that the United States likely played a role in attacks on three fishing vessels off the coast of Ecuador earlier this year, incidents that left at least eight crew members missing. The nonprofit organization also criticized alleged instances of torture during a US-backed Ecuadorian military operation targeting organized crime near the Colombia border.

According to HRW, the maritime attacks occurred between January and March 2026, following the launch of US military strikes in September 2025 against boats the US claimed were involved in drug trafficking near Latin America. These strikes, which were publicized with video evidence and casualty figures, reportedly resulted in at least 215 deaths. Rights groups, including HRW, have condemned the strikes as extrajudicial killings, arguing that many of those targeted were civilians who did not pose an immediate threat.

HRW’s investigation focused on attacks against the fishing vessels La Negra Francisca Duarte II, Don Maca, and Fiorella. The latter disappeared on January 20 with eight crew members unaccounted for. Although the US Department of Defense and Coast Guard have denied involvement in these incidents, HRW’s investigation—based on interviews with 62 individuals, including 13 survivors—concluded that the US had some level of involvement or knowledge of the attacks.

Survivors from La Negra Francisca Duarte II and Don Maca reported being attacked by armed drones on March 17 and 26, respectively. They also described encounters with armed individuals identified as US nationals wearing military-style uniforms bearing US flag insignia. These personnel were said to have detained survivors on a nearby blue-and-white vessel before transferring them to the Salvadoran Coast Guard.

In addition to the maritime incidents, HRW examined a joint US-Ecuadorian military operation conducted in March in the village of San Martin, near the Colombia border, an area known as a hotspot for drug and arms trafficking. HRW reported that Ecuadorian forces arrested four farm workers, who were allegedly arbitrarily detained and subjected to torture methods including waterboarding, beatings, electric shocks, and mock executions. The detainees were reportedly taken to a military base for further interrogation before being released without charges.

Federico Bergero, HRW’s deputy executive director, called for greater transparency and accountability, urging the US Congress to seek clear answers from the Trump administration regarding its security cooperation with Ecuador.

The US government has not acknowledged any direct involvement in the unreported attacks on the fishing vessels, maintaining its stance that it is committed to lawful and targeted actions against organized crime in the region. The issue highlights ongoing tensions and concerns about the conduct and oversight of US military activities in Latin America.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.