On Thursday, the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) reported a significant achievement in combating drug trafficking in the Western Hemisphere. American naval forces intercepted and sank a floating refueling station linked to the violent Ecuadorian narco-terrorist group Los Choneros. This action builds on President Donald Trump’s ongoing commitment to dismantling drug trafficking operations, a policy that began just over a year ago.
This operation took place on September 3 in international waters of the Eastern Pacific, following direct orders from SOUTHCOM Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, and it was coordinated closely with the Ecuadorian government, according to a statement from SOUTHCOM shared on social media.
Military Action from USS San Antonio
Military intelligence reports indicated that the intercepted vessel was a vital logistics hub for Los Choneros, providing fuel to fast boats smuggling narcotics toward the U.S. Littoral Combat Force 24 (LCF-24) was launched from the amphibious transport dock USS San Antonio (LPD 17) specifically to board and secure the target vessel.
The operation showcased the modern naval littoral warfare tactics, highlighting the cooperation between rotary-wing aircraft support and fast surface assault crafts launched from the USS San Antonio. Before boarding, an MH-60 Seahawk helicopter tracked the target and provided real-time surveillance and sniper coverage. Utilizing advanced optics, the chopper ensured the area was clear of hostiles while guiding assault teams during the operation.
With air cover in place, the assault teams from LCF-24 approached the refueling station using an 11-Meter Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (11M RHIB). This craft, carrying eight to ten heavily armed Marines and crew, deftly maneuvered alongside the suspect ship, allowing for a quick Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) operation. The combination of airborne oversight from the Seahawk and the rapid approach using the RHIB allowed U.S. forces to secure the refueling station effortlessly, detaining the individuals aboard before sinking the vessel.
Marines and Sailors from LCF-24 successfully cleared the ship without any issues. Those removed from the floating station were taken into custody and are being transferred to Ecuadorian authorities for prosecution. After ensuring no one was left onboard, U.S. forces sank the cartel supply ship.
SOUTHCOM emphasized in their statement that this operation disrupts a crucial element of the traffickers’ logistics and supports the goals of the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition (A3C) and JTF-WHEM in fighting narco-terrorist networks. The Department of War and A3C reiterated their determination to combat narco-terrorism in the Western Hemisphere and protect the homeland.
Strength and Reach of LCF-24
This incident highlights the capabilities of Littoral Combat Force 24, a task force designed for near-shore combat and rapid crisis response. Operating from the USS San Antonio, a 684-foot amphibious warfare vessel equipped for various military operations, LCF-24 provides U.S. commanders a mobile base for operations against transnational criminal threats in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific.
Trump Administration’s Strong Military Approach
Thursday’s action represents a continuation of the Trump administration’s robust military efforts against drug cartels in the Western Hemisphere. This proactive strategy against drug trafficking vessels was initiated about a year ago when President Trump authorized military force against specific drug cartels.
Shortly after, he ordered a strike against a drug-laden vessel in international waters, resulting in the destruction of the boat and the deaths of 11 drug smugglers. Conducted through Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere (JTF-WHEM)—a permanent military command structure created to streamline U.S. operations with regional allies under the A3C—these military efforts maintain a firm stance against designated foreign narco-terrorist groups.
Since the military campaign against cartels began under Operation Southern Spear in late 2025, and progressed into JTF-WHEM:
- Over 65 Narco-Vessels Destroyed or Sunk: U.S. forces have actively engaged, boarded, or sunk more than 65 cartel-related vessels and logistical points across the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific, including two floating refueling stations taken down within 48 hours.
- Significant Decrease in Maritime Smuggling: Reports from the Department of War indicate that the administration’s ongoing interdiction campaign has led to substantial reductions in cartel maritime activity—cutting illicit transit by 65% in the Western Caribbean, 60% in the Eastern Caribbean, and nearly 50% in crucial Eastern Pacific routes.
Treating transnational drug cartels as foreign terrorist threats, SOUTHCOM and JTF-WHEM send a clear warning to regional gangs: there’s no safe haven at sea for those trying to smuggle drugs into the U.S.
A New Strategy for Security in the Americas
By evolving from passive surveillance to active interdiction, the Trump administration and SOUTHCOM have transformed how they engage with transnational criminal organizations in international waters. The execution of the September 3 operation—neutralizing a major logistics hub for Los Choneros without any friendly casualties—highlights the effectiveness of integrating specialized platforms like the USS San Antonio, agile teams like LCF-24, and real-time intelligence from JTF-WHEM.
As the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition broadens its operational reach throughout Latin America, actions like this send a powerful message to narco-terrorist groups: the open ocean is no longer a refuge, and the U.S. and its partners are fully equipped and committed to dismantling these criminal networks wherever they may be.
