The US army on Wednesday intercepted and sank a vessel within the Jap Pacific that it stated was supporting a “narco-terrorist” group, in response to US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM).
SOUTHCOM stated the operation focused a vessel tied to Los Choneros, which it described as a violent narco-terrorist group.
“On Sept. 2, on the path of #SOUTHCOM Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, and in coordination and collaboration with the Authorities of Ecuador, Joint Process Drive Western Hemisphere (JTF-WHEM) efficiently interdicted a vessel working as a floating refueling station in assist of illicit at-sea drug trafficking operations in worldwide waters of the Jap Pacific,” SOUTHCOM stated in an announcement.
“Intelligence confirmed the vessel was working in assist of the Los Choneros violent narco-terrorist group,” the army added.
SOUTHCOM stated US Marines and sailors from the USS San Antonio “interdicted, boarded, searched, and cleared the vessel with out incident.”
The army stated a number of people had been faraway from the vessel and transferred to Ecuadorian authorities.
As soon as the people had been safely eliminated, US forces sank the vessel, SOUTHCOM stated.
In its assertion, SOUTHCOM stated the operation “cuts off a essential node” within the alleged drug traffickers’ illicit actions. It didn’t disclose the particular location of the operation.
The motion was taken in assist of the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition (A3C) and JTF-WHEM’s mission to dismantle narco-terrorist networks within the area, in response to SOUTHCOM.
“We’re taking decisive motion to dismantle and destroy subtle logistics networks utilized by narco-terrorists to site visitors medicine and unfold violence all through the Western Hemisphere,” Donovan stated.
“This operation demonstrated the elite capabilities and precision of Joint Process Drive Western Hemisphere, which is on watch within the area to use complete systemic friction on these networks,” he added.
Video of the operation launched by SOUTHCOM exhibits army personnel intercepting the vessel earlier than boarding it and finally sinking the craft.
SOUTHCOM additionally responded after Ecuador’s Ministry of Nationwide Protection shared footage of the operation on social media.
“The message is evident: the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition will proceed to use complete systemic friction on narco-terrorists,” SOUTHCOM wrote.
Wednesday’s interdiction comes amid a months-long marketing campaign launched by the Trump administration aimed toward dismantling cartel-linked trafficking networks.
SOUTHCOM has performed dozens of strikes within the Jap Pacific and Caribbean focusing on vessels it says are related to “narco-terrorists.”
Final week, the army stated it carried out a strike within the Caribbean that killed 4 alleged “narco-terrorists.”
Following that strike, the Trump administration’s marketing campaign focusing on suspected cartel vessels has resulted in at the very least 227 deaths throughout 68 reported strikes over roughly one 12 months.
