---
title: "US forces sink vessel linked to Ecuador's Los Choneros in Pacific"
publication: "MediaBias News"
url: "https://mediabias.news/conflict/us-forces-sink-vessel-linked-to-ecuadors-los-choneros-in-pacific"
api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/us-forces-sink-vessel-linked-to-ecuadors-los-choneros-in-pacific"
markdown: "https://mediabias.news/conflict/us-forces-sink-vessel-linked-to-ecuadors-los-choneros-in-pacific.md"
audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/us-forces-sink-vessel-linked-to-ecuadors-los-choneros-in-pacific"
category: "Conflict & Security"
area: "Middle East"
published: "2026-09-16T10:25:13.800Z"
source_reported: "2026-09-16T07:40:17.000Z"
updated: "2026-09-16T10:25:13.800Z"
trust_score: 50
critic_score: 60
hype_score: 40
assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis"
fact_check_status: "not-performed"
coverage_measured: "2026-09-16T12:02:56.842Z"
---

# US forces sink vessel linked to Ecuador's Los Choneros in Pacific

*Operation targeted alleged drug trafficking refueling station, crew rescued.*

**Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): 

- Trust 50 of 100, higher is better. Central claim attributed to US Southern Command; one full report and 29 digests provide corroboration.
- Craft 60 of 100, higher is better. Most reports are digests; one full report provides detail on operation and quotes commander.
- Hype 40 of 100, lower is better. Headlines use strong verbs like 'sank' and 'blown up' but are generally supported by the content.

Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology.

**The short version**

- US forces intercepted and sank a vessel in the Pacific Ocean.
- The vessel was allegedly used as a refueling station for drug trafficking operations.
- The operation was linked to the Ecuadorian criminal organization Los Choneros.
- The crew was rescued and will be transferred to Ecuadorian authorities.

U.S. forces intercepted and sank a vessel in the Pacific Ocean. The U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) stated the vessel was allegedly used as a floating refueling station for drug trafficking operations and was linked to the Ecuadorian criminal organization Los Choneros. The operation was directed by SOUTHCOM.

SOUTHCOM reported that the crew was rescued before the vessel was sunk and will be handed over to Ecuadorian authorities. This operation is part of an ongoing campaign by the U.S. to disrupt maritime drug trafficking networks. SOUTHCOM stated that intelligence confirmed the vessel's connection to Los Choneros.

## Disagreement on operation details

While most reports agree on the interception and sinking of the vessel and its alleged link to drug trafficking and Los Choneros, one outlet noted a difference from other U.S. interdictions. La Opinion reported that U.S. authorities indicated the crew was evacuated before the ship was destroyed, contrasting with some previous operations where individuals died.

## Omissions in coverage

None of the right-rated digests mention the specific details about the U.S. Secretary of State's visit to Ecuador or the modernization of the bilateral extradition treaty, which were included in the left-rated full report. Similarly, none of the centre-rated digests provided these details.

## Who covered it

Shares of the 9 covering outlets with a published leaning rating:

- Left: 11% (1)
- Centre: 33% (3)
- Right: 56% (5)

25 of 34 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-09-16T12:02:56.842Z.

**Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 9 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-09-16T12:30:29.219Z.

## How the sides framed it

### Left

- The left-rated report from La Opinion led with the U.S. interception and sinking of the vessel, noting its alleged use as a refueling station for drug trafficking and its link to Los Choneros. It quoted U.S. Southern Command General Francis L. Donovan stating the U.S. is applying pressure on "drug terrorists" by dismantling their networks and finances. The report also highlighted that the crew was rescued and would be handed over to Ecuadorian authorities, contrasting this with previous U.S. interdictions where fatalities occurred. It mentioned the ongoing security cooperation between Washington and Ecuador, including a recent visit by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and efforts to modernize their extradition treaty.

### Centre

- Centre-rated reports focused on the U.S. interception and sinking of the vessel, its alleged connection to Los Choneros, and the rescue of its crew. Several digests stated that Southern Command confirmed the ship's link to the organization and recalled similar operations since late August. Some reports highlighted the operation as unusual, with 20minutos noting the crew's rescue and subsequent sinking of the ship. Digests from LancasterOnline and Santa Maria Times, citing AP, reported the sinking of another Ecuadorian ship in the Pacific, identified as a refueling station allegedly associated with a criminal gang.

### Right

- Right-rated reports highlighted the U.S. military's action in sinking a vessel in the Pacific Ocean, which they believed was used as a floating gas station for drug smugglers. Digests from Aftenposten and Nettavisen used similar phrasing. Reforma reported the sinking of an Ecuadorian ship designated as a floating fuel station linked to Los Choneros. News-pravda.com stated the U.S. had destroyed a ship allegedly linked to "drug terrorists" according to the Southern Military Command, quoting that intelligence confirmed the ship's involvement. Clarin reported the interception and sinking of a vessel used to support illegal operations, linked to a criminal group, with the crew to be delivered to Ecuador.

**Provisional coverage gap:** left. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding.

## Factuality profile of the covering outlets

These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true.

- veryLow: 1
- low: 1
- high: 6
- unknown: 25
- veryHigh: 1

## Verification scope

This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true.

## Original reporting this was written from

- [El Sol](https://elsol.com.ar/el-mundo/video-estados-unidos-intercepto-y-hundio-otra-embarcacion-narco-en-el-pacifico) — U.S. Intercepted and Sank Another Narco Ship in the Pacific
- [Breaking The News](http://breakingthenews.net/Article/US-intercepts-refueling-ship-linked-with-drug-trafficking/67112357) — US intercepts refueling ship linked with drug trafficking
- [entrelineas.com.mx](https://entrelineas.com.mx/ee-uu-intercepta-y-hace-explotar-una-embarcacion-en-el-pacifico) — U.S. Intercepts and Explodes a Boat in the Pacific - Entre Lineas
- [Jovem Pan News](https://jovempan.com.br/mundo/eua-dizem-que-barco-foi-afundado-no-pacifico-com-suposta-ligacao-ao-narcotrafico) — U.S. Says the Boat Was Sunk in the Pacific with Alleged Drug Trafficking Connection.
- [The Objective | Periodismo ethos](https://theobjective.com/internacional/2026-09-16/eeuu-embarcacion-los-choneros) — U.S. Intercepts a Vessel Allegedly Linked to Los Choneros
- [Báo điện tử Dân Trí](https://dantri.com.vn/the-gioi/dac-nhiem-my-danh-chim-tau-nghi-buon-ma-tuy-o-thai-binh-duong-20260916142459342.htm) — US Special Forces Sink Suspected Drug Trafficking Vessel in the Pacific Ocean.
- [anlatilaninotesi.com.tr](https://anlatilaninotesi.com.tr/20260916/abd-ordusu-dogu-pasifikte-kacakciligi-destekledigi-iddiasiyla-bir-tekneyi-batirdi-1108801152.html) — The US Military Sank a Boat in the Eastern Pacific, Claiming It Was "Supporting smuggling."
- [yenicaggazetesi.com](https://yenicaggazetesi.com/abd-ordusu-dogu-pasifikte-bir-tekneyi-batirdi-1072370h.htm) — The US Military Sank a Boat in the Eastern Pacific.
- [Akşam](https://aksam.com.tr/guncel/pasifikte-sicak-saatler-abd-kartellerin-can-damarini-kesti/haber-1698695) — Tense Hours in the Pacific! The US Cut Off the Cartels' Lifeline.
- [Gestion](https://gestion.pe/mundo/internacional/estados-unidos-intercepta-y-hunde-una-embarcacion-presuntamente-ligada-al-narcotrafico-de-ecuador-noticia) — United States Intercepts and Sinks a Vessel Allegedly Linked to Ecuador’s Drug Trafficking
- [Aftenposten](https://aftenposten.no/verden/i/gkl9eA/usa-har-sprengt-baat-i-stillehavet-flere-personer) — The United States Has Blown up a Boat in the Pacific Ocean – Several People
- [Nettavisen](https://nettavisen.no/nyheter/usa-har-sprengt-bat-i-stillehavet-flere-personer/s/80-95-81774) — US Blows up Boat in Pacific Ocean
- [Reforma](https://reforma.com/reporta-eu-hundimiento-de-barco-ecuatoriano-en-el-pacifico/ar3276800) — Report EU Sinking of Ecuadorian Ship in the Pacific
- [Felix Victorino](https://fvdigital.do/mundoeeuu-intercepta-una-nave-vinculada-a-los-choneros-salva-a-sus-tripulantes-y-luego-la-hunde-en-una-operacion-inusual-fvdigital) — #World:USA Intercepts a Ship Linked to Los Choneros, Saves Its Crew and Then Sinks It Into an Unusual Operation #FVDigital
- [expreso.ec](https://expreso.ec/ecuador/ee-uu-destruye-embarcacion-pacifico-presuntos-nexos-choneros-295931.html) — U.S. Destroys Another Vessel in the Pacific for Alleged Links with Los Choneros
- [20minutos](https://20minutos.es/internacional/eeuu-intercepta-hunde-una-embarcacion-supuestamente-ligada-narcotrafico-ecuador_7037256_0.html) — The U.S. Intercepts a Ship Linked to Los Choneros, Saves Its Crew and Then Plunges It Into an Unusual Operation.
- [Proceso Digital](https://proceso.hn/eeuu-intercepta-y-hunde-una-embarcacion-supuestamente-ligada-al-narcotrafico-de-ecuador) — U.S. Intercepts and Sank a Vessel Supposedly Linked to Ecuador’s Drug Trafficking
- [rccnoticias.com.do](https://rccnoticias.com.do/ee-uu-hunde-embarcacion-ligada-al-narcotrafico-en-el-585329) — Ship Linked to Drug Trafficking Is Sunk in U.S. Operation.
- [La Opinion](https://laopinion.com/2026/09/15/ee-uu-intercepta-y-hunde-una-embarcacion-de-ecuador-presuntamente-ligada-al-narcotrafico) — U.S. Intercepts and Sank a Boat From Ecuador Allegedly Linked to Drug Trafficking - La Opinión
- [Haberler](https://haberler.com/3-sayfa/abd-ordusu-uyusturucu-kartellerinin-yakit-ikmal-20241241-haberi) — The US Military Sank a Boat that Drug Cartels Were Using as a Refueling Station.
- [ThePress United | International News Analysis, Viewpoint](https://thepressunited.com/updates/us-commandos-blow-up-drug-boat-video) — US commandos blow up ‘drug boat’ - The Press United
- [EADaily](https://eadaily.com/ru/news/2026/09/16/vms-ssha-zatopili-sudno-narkotorgovcev-u-beregov-latinskoy-ameriki) — The U.S. Navy Flooded a Ship of Drug Traffickers Off the Coast of Latin America:
- [LancasterOnline](https://lancasteronline.com/lavoz/latinoamerica-y-caribe/eeuu-informa-de-otro-barco-ecuatoriano-hundido-en-el-pac-fico-con-supuesto-v-nculo/article_0ecff452-2006-55ad-8cac-339bcbef5a80.html) — U.S. Reports Another Ecuadorian Ship Sunk in the Pacific with Alleged Links to Drug Trafficking
- [Santa Maria Times](https://santamariatimes.com/ap/international/eeuu-informa-de-otro-barco-ecuatoriano-hundido-en-el-pac-fico-con-supuesto-v-nculo/article_c71987e7-6e3e-5d0f-87ae-7c7edc8a0e01.html) — U.S. Reports Another Ecuadorian Ship Sunk in the Pacific with Alleged Links to Drug Trafficking
- [Life.ru](https://life.ru/p/ssha-perehvatili-sudno-svyazannoe-s-narkoterroristami-v-tihom-okeane) — The United States Intercepted a Drug-Terrorist Vessel in the Pacific.
- [El Comercio](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/latinoamerica/estados-unidos-intercepta-y-hunde-una-embarcacion-supuestamente-ligada-al-narcotrafico-de-ecuador-pacifico-comando-sur-ultimas-noticia) — The United States Intercepts and Sinks a Vessel Allegedly Linked to Ecuador’s Drug Trafficking
- [RPP](https://rpp.pe/mundo/latinoamerica/estados-unidos-intercepta-y-hunde-una-embarcacion-supuestamente-ligada-al-narcotrafico-de-ecuador-noticia-1707614) — The United States Intercepts and Sinks a Vessel Allegedly Linked to Ecuador’s Drug Trafficking
- [N Digital](https://n.com.do/2026/09/15/ee-uu-intercepta-y-hunde-una-embarcacion-supuestamente-ligada-al-narcotrafico-de-ecuador) — U.S. Intercepts and Sinks a Vessel Allegedly Linked to Ecuador’s Drug Trafficking
- [RNN Red Nacional De Noticias](https://rnn.com.do/ee-uu-intercepta-y-hunde-una-embarcacion-supuestamente-ligada-al-narcotrafico-de-ecuador) — U.S. Intercepts and Sinks a Vessel Allegedly Linked to Ecuador’s Drug Trafficking
- [news-pravda.com](https://news-pravda.com/world/2026/09/16/2594815.html) — The United States has destroyed a ship allegedly linked to drug terrorists in the Pacific Ocean, according to the country's Southern Military Command
- [BizToc](https://biztoc.com/x/41dd113ecbf25820) — US intercepts refueling ship linked with drug trafficking
- [Clarin](https://clarin.com/estados-unidos/ee-uu-intercepta-y-hunde-una-embarcacion-supuestamente-ligada-al-narcotrafico-de-ecuador_0_V1ndVouwYj.html) — U.S. Intercepts and Sinks a Vessel Allegedly Linked to Ecuador’s Drug Trafficking
- [Hola News](https://holanews.com/ee-uu-intercepta-y-hunde-una-embarcacion-ligada-al-narcotrafico-de-ecuador) — U.S. Intercepts and Sinks a Boat Linked to Ecuador’s Drug Trafficking
- [www.diariolibre.com](https://diariolibre.com/mundo/estados-unidos/2026/09/15/intercepcion-de-embarcacion-vinculada-al-narcotrafico-ecuador/3660333) — U.S. Intercepts and Sinks a Vessel Allegedly Linked to Ecuador’s Drug Trafficking

## Questions

**What happened in the Pacific Ocean?**

U.S. forces intercepted and sank a vessel in the Pacific Ocean. The U.S. Southern Command stated the vessel was allegedly used as a refueling station for drug trafficking operations and was linked to the Ecuadorian criminal organization Los Choneros. The crew was rescued and will be handed over to Ecuadorian authorities.

**Which criminal organization was linked to the vessel?**

The vessel was linked to the Ecuadorian criminal organization Los Choneros. U.S. Southern Command stated that intelligence confirmed the ship's connection to the group, which is considered by the U.S. to be part of criminal structures threatening regional security.

**What happened to the crew of the vessel?**

The crew of the intercepted vessel was rescued by U.S. forces before the ship was sunk. They will be handed over to Ecuadorian authorities. This approach was noted as a difference from some previous U.S. interdictions of suspected drug trafficking vessels.

---

MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/conflict/us-forces-sink-vessel-linked-to-ecuadors-los-choneros-in-pacific. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "US forces sink vessel linked to Ecuador's Los Choneros in Pacific", https://mediabias.news/conflict/us-forces-sink-vessel-linked-to-ecuadors-los-choneros-in-pacific