US strikes on Ecuadorian fishing boats raise humanitarian concerns but Trump admin not wavering
Attorney says fishers ‘losing their livelihoods’, but Marco Rubio maintains US still willing to ‘blow up ships if need be’
TL;DR
- US forces are intercepting and destroying Ecuadorian fishing boats in international waters, citing alleged drug trafficking use.
- Ecuadorian fishers deny the allegations, stating their boats are destroyed with crews still aboard or forced adrift.
- Human rights groups and UN rapporteurs have raised concerns, calling the actions potential 'crimes against humanity'.
- The US claims these operations are conducted in compliance with law and that leaving boats intact could allow their reuse by criminal networks.
- Despite concerns and lack of impact on cocaine volume, US officials, including Marco Rubio, indicate willingness to continue destroying vessels.
- Ecuador's president, Daniel Noboa, supports 'joint operations' with the US, granting US military immunity.
- Families of missing fishers are seeking answers from both Ecuadorian and US authorities.
- Data suggests the operations have not impacted the volume of cocaine entering the US, and victims are often poor individuals at the bottom of trafficking networks.