The United States Southern Command announced on Monday that it sank an Ecuadorian vessel believed to be connected to the criminal organization Los Choneros. According to the command, the vessel functioned as a floating refueling station supporting illicit drug trafficking operations in the Eastern Pacific.

The action was part of ongoing efforts by U.S. authorities to disrupt maritime channels used for narcotics movement throughout Latin America. In a statement, the Southern Command confirmed that personnel aboard the vessel were safely removed prior to the sinking and will be handed over to Ecuadorian authorities for further processing.

A video released alongside the announcement depicted military forces boarding the ship, followed by helicopter surveillance, culminating in a strike that caused the vessel to sink. This operation underscores continued cooperation between the United States and regional partners to combat drug trafficking networks operating at sea.