U.S. sinks an Ecuadorian boat in the Pacific it alleges is tied to drug trafficking

The U.S. Southern Command on Monday sank another Ecuadorian vessel that the U.S. alleged was linked to the criminal group Los Choneros.

QUITO, Ecuador — The U.S. Southern Command on Monday sank another Ecuadorian vessel that the U.S. alleged was linked to the criminal group Los Choneros.

It was the latest action by the U.S. against boats and vessels in Latin America that it said were involved in drug trafficking.

The joint task force intercepted a floating refueling station that supported illicit drug trafficking operations at sea in the Eastern Pacific, the Southern Command said in a statement.

It added that the people on board the vessel were removed and will be transferred to Ecuadorian authorities.

A video accompanying the announcement showed military personnel boarding a boat, followed by a helicopter flying overhead and finally a projectile striking and sinking it.