Watch: U.S. Forces Destroy Suspected Drug-Smuggling Boat
8/29/2026 1:18:05 PM
The US military said it destroyed a boat used by drug traffickers as a refueling station in the eastern Pacific after US forces removed several people from the vessel without using force.
The US Southern Command, which oversees military operations in the region, said the boat was in international waters and had been used by Los Choneros, one of Ecuador’s most powerful criminal gangs.
In a post on X, Southern Command said the people removed from the boat were handed over to Ecuadorian authorities, adding that the operation had been coordinated in advance with the Ecuadorian government.
Video released by Southern Command showed the boat exploding and erupting into a large fireball.
Watch the attached video for more.
The US Southern Command, which oversees military operations in the region, said the boat was in international waters and had been used by Los Choneros, one of Ecuador’s most powerful criminal gangs.
In a post on X, Southern Command said the people removed from the boat were handed over to Ecuadorian authorities, adding that the operation had been coordinated in advance with the Ecuadorian government.
Video released by Southern Command showed the boat exploding and erupting into a large fireball.
Watch the attached video for more.