Authorities interdict suspected narco-terrorist refueling vessel on Sept. 2, 2026

U.S. forces working with Ecuador intercepted and destroyed a vessel in international waters of the Eastern Pacific on Sept. 2 that was operating as a floating refueling station for at-sea drug trafficking. The action was directed by U.S. Southern Command Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan and carried out by Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere (JTF-WHEM). Intelligence linked the ship’s mission to Los Choneros, described as a violent narco-terrorist organization.

U.S. Marines and Sailors launched from the amphibious transport dock USS San Antonio (LPD 17) to board, search, and clear the vessel without incident. Those aboard were transferred safely to Ecuadorian authorities, and U.S. forces then sank the ship.

Officials characterized the interdiction as a strike on a key logistics node that advances the objectives of JTF-WHEM and the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition (A3C) to dismantle narco-terrorist networks. They said the broader campaign in the Western Hemisphere remains steadfast.

“We are taking decisive action to dismantle and destroy sophisticated logistics networks used by narco-terrorists to traffic drugs and spread violence throughout the Western Hemisphere. This operation demonstrated the elite capabilities and precision of Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere, which is on watch in the region to apply total systemic friction on these networks.” — U.S. Southern Command Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan