U.S. Shifts Focus to Sinking Large Refueling Vessels Off Ecuador
The U.S. military has expanded its maritime campaign by targeting large fishing vessels off Ecuador, which officials claim serve as refueling stations for drug-smuggling boats. Since late August, six such vessels have been sunk, marking a shift from lethal strikes on smaller boats to operations that remove crews before destruction. This escalation coincides with increased ground operations in Ecuador and renewed diplomatic efforts to combat transnational criminal organizations.
