— Ecuador has defended U.S. operations that intercepted and sank three Ecuadorian vessels this week, saying the boats were part of drug-trafficking networks linked to criminal gangs.Interior Minister John Reimberg said the operation followed joint U.S.-Ecuadorian investigations and that the vessels served as floating refueling stations for speedboats transporting drugs toward Mexico and the U.S.
Reuters reports that relatives of some crew members rejected the allegations, saying the men were fishermen and no drugs were found aboard. One crew member’s wife accused Washington of acting “in such an arbitrary way” and claimed the vessel was struck inside Ecuadorian waters.
The Ecuadorian Navy said 28 crew members from two vessels had returned to Manta, while another eight were still being brought back to port.
