Storyline
Ecuador-US joint anti-drug maritime operations 2026
One page that accretes the verified record as the story develops. Every fact keeps its date and its sources.
1 DAYS
15 FACTS
2 EVENTS
2 SOURCES
FIRST ENTRY SEP 05
SEP 05 · Day 1
Families of missing Ecuadorian fishermen allege US involvement
The families of the missing fishermen are demanding answers.
The families believe the missing fishermen could be victims of a US drone strike or detention.
Eight Ecuadorian fishermen vanished at sea after reporting US surveillance.
SEP 05 · Day 1
Ecuador defends US sinking of vessels as joint anti-drug operation
The time and location of a video accompanying SOUTHCOM's post showing US forces boarding a vessel before it was blown up at sea have not been independently verified.
Trump has claimed the US is in a non-international armed conflict with drug-trafficking organisations in an unreleased memo obtained by US media.
SOUTHCOM confirmed a previous attack on a low-profile vessel that killed two people on August 23.