Video shared by U.S. Southern Command shows how military personnel on Wednesday interdicted a floating refueling station allegedly tied to narcotrafficking and then sank it, according to a post on X.
“On Sept. 16, under the direction of #SOUTHCOM, Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere (JTF-WHEM) forces successfully interdicted a floating refueling station supporting illicit at-sea drug trafficking operations in the Eastern Pacific,” officials said in a post on X.
On Sept. 16, under the direction of #SOUTHCOM, Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere (JTF-WHEM) forces successfully interdicted a floating refueling station supporting illicit at-sea drug trafficking operations in the Eastern Pacific. Intelligence confirmed the vessel’s involvement with the Los Choneros violent narco-terrorist organization. Individuals removed from the vessel have been transferred to Ecuadorian authorities. After clearing the vessel and disembarking the crew, U.S. forces sank it. JTF-WHEM continues to conduct precise and professional operations to dismantle the logistical networks fueling narco-trafficking in the Western Hemisphere. "Alongside our Ecuadorian partners, we are relentlessly pursuing narco-terrorists who prey on our citizens, undermine hemispheric security, and leave death and suffering in their wake. This deliberate, lawful, and precise operation saves lives and makes our citizens—from Ecuador to the United States—safer." – SOUTHCOM Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan #A3C #JTFWHEM @DeptofWar @SecWar @USMC @USNavy @USEmbassyEc @DefensaEc @The24MEU
— U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) September 17, 2026
The vessel was allegedly linked to the Ecuadorian group Los Choneros, which is designated as a foreign terrorist organization in the U.S. The people on it were removed and transferred to that country’s authorities.
Officials said after clearing the floating refueling station and disembarking the crew, U.S. forces sank it.
The post includes a statement attributed to SouthCom Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan that reads: “Alongside our Ecuadorian partners, we are relentlessly pursuing narco-terrorists who prey on our citizens, undermine hemispheric security, and leave death and suffering in their wake. This deliberate, lawful, and precise operation saves lives and makes our citizens—from Ecuador to the United States—safer.”
