US military destroys drug smugglers’ refueling vessel in Eastern Pacific

The U.S. military said it destroyed a vessel in the eastern Pacific Ocean that was allegedly being used by drug smugglers as a floating refuelling station after U.S. forces evacuated several people from the vessel without using force.

U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), which oversees American military operations in the region, said on X that the vessel was operating in international waters and was being used by Los Choneros, one of Ecuador’s most powerful criminal groups, according to Caliber.Az.

On Aug. 28, at the direction of #SOUTHCOM Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, and in coordination and collaboration with the Government of Ecuador, Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere (JTF-WHEM) successfully interdicted a vessel operating as a floating refueling station in support… pic.twitter.com/ZEj735JRmP

— U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) August 29, 2026

The people removed from the vessel were handed over to Ecuadorian authorities, SOUTHCOM said.

The operation had been coordinated in advance with the Ecuadorian government, according to the U.S. military command.

By Tamilla Hasanova