U.S. forces took decisive action near Ecuador over the weekend, targeting several commercial vessels suspected of serving as floating refueling stations for drug smugglers. According to a U.S. official, this operation marked the fourth instance of intercepting such refueling platforms in the eastern Pacific, without resulting in any casualties.
This mission was part of U.S. Southern Command’s ongoing efforts to disrupt narcotics smuggling activities in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, a campaign initiated just over a year ago. A video shared on social media showcases a military vessel—a rigid-hull inflatable boat—approaching a larger civilian vessel loaded with fuel jugs on an open deck. A Marine Corps helicopter could be seen hovering nearby.
The footage captures the inflatable craft moving away, followed by an explosion at the bow of the civilian vessel.
Individuals aboard the intercepted refueling vessel were handed over to Ecuadorean authorities present during the operation, as per the official, who requested anonymity due to lack of authorization to publicly discuss the mission.
The operation involved personnel from the amphibious ship U.S.S. San Antonio, from which helicopters were deployed to engage other suspect vessels with munitions, resulting in their destruction.
Southern Command, stationed in South Florida, identified the refueling scheme as being operated by Los Choneros, labeled as a “foreign terrorist organization” by the State Department just after the anti-smuggling campaign began on September 2, 2025.
Since the inception of this campaign, the U.S. military has conducted 68 operations against suspected drug smuggling vessels in this region, reportedly resulting in 227 fatalities, based on analysis from The New York Times.
John Ismay, reporting for The Times, brings insights from his experience as an explosive ordnance disposal officer in the U.S. Navy.