<p>U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) announced on September 3, 2026, that it sank a vessel alleged to be a refueling station for the Los Choneros organization, which is designated as a narco-terrorist group.</p>
<p>Sailors from Littoral Combat Force 24 aboard the USS San Antonio boarded and searched the vessel, arresting the individuals on board before sinking the boat. This operation was conducted in coordination with the government of Ecuador, which received the arrested operators.</p>
<p>SOUTHCOM stated, "This interdiction cuts off a critical node in the traffickers’ logistics chain and advances the goals of the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition (A3C) and Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere to dismantle narco-terrorist networks." The command emphasized its commitment to combating narco-terrorism in the Western Hemisphere.</p>
<p>The vessel was reportedly operating in the eastern Pacific and was identified as a floating refueling station for illicit drug trafficking operations in international waters, confirmed to be linked to Los Choneros. The operation was described as being conducted "without incident." This action marked the second such operation within the week, following the sinking of another refueling station.</p>
<p>Los Choneros, which originated in Ecuador in the 1990s, has grown into a significant criminal organization involved in cocaine trafficking to the United States and has been associated with violence in Ecuador and other regions of South America. In September 2025, the Trump administration designated Los Choneros as a foreign terrorist organization and a specially designated global terrorist.</p>
<p>Footage from the operation shows U.S. forces boarding the vessel in rough seas, followed by the sinking of the refueling boat.</p>