Escalating Boat Strikes Campaign, U.S. Targets 'Refueling' Vessels

A year into its military boat-strike campaign off Ecuador, the U.S. is shifting toward targeting large fishing vessels the Trump administration says act as “floating refueling” stations for smaller drug-carrying boats. On Tuesday night, U.S. Southern Command announced its sixth such operation in two weeks, showing troops boarding a large fishing boat from a helicopter before explosives were used to destroy it. Southern Command said six-plus vessels attacked off Ecuador’s coast since Aug. 28 had this refueling role. The strikes have killed more than 220 people overall, and legal experts say targeting vessels without imminent violence could violate laws governing lethal force. The action coincides with State Secretary Marco Rubio’s trip to Ecuador.