{"id":2655715,"date":"2026-09-08T01:30:02","date_gmt":"2026-09-08T05:30:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/us-forces-sink-fifth-refueling-vessel-linked-to-los-choneros-terrorist-organization\/"},"modified":"2026-09-08T01:31:33","modified_gmt":"2026-09-08T05:31:33","slug":"us-forces-sink-fifth-refueling-vessel-linked-to-los-choneros-terrorist-organization","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/us-forces-sink-fifth-refueling-vessel-linked-to-los-choneros-terrorist-organization\/","title":{"rendered":"US forces sink fifth \u2018refueling vessel\u2019 linked to Los Choneros terrorist organization"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fus-forces-sink-fifth-refueling-vessel-linked-to-los-choneros-terrorist-organization%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2655715&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>On Labor Day, the U.S. military intensified efforts in the Western Hemisphere to combat narcotics trafficking. The U.S. Southern Command announced it sank a suspected drug-refueling vessel linked to the Los Choneros terrorist organization in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, marking the fourth vessel destroyed in September and the fifth since late August.The vessel was identified through intelligence as involved in illicit drug trafficking and was afterward destroyed after the crew\u2019s detention and transfer to Ecuadorian authorities. Southern Command emphasized that these precise operations aim to dismantle the logistical networks that support narco-terrorism.<\/p>\n<p>The Los Choneros, originating in Ecuador in the 1990s, are involved in various violent crimes including kidnapping, human trafficking, arms trafficking, and drug smuggling, with drugs trafficked into the U.S. The group was designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the Trump management in September 2025. The U.S. commits to partnering with Ecuador to suppress these criminal activities and protect regional stability. The operations demonstrate the U.S. military&#8217;s focus on disrupting the supply chains fueling drug violence and terrorism across the Western Hemisphere.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/united-states\/\">United States<\/a> military continued its efforts on Labor Day to rid the Western Hemisphere of narcotic-trafficking operations that smuggle drugs into the country. U.S. Southern Command announced on Monday that it sank an alleged \u201crefueling vessel\u201d of the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4711258\/southern-command-sinks-refueling-vessel-los-choneros-terrorist-organization\/\">Los Choneros<\/a> terrorist organization in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere \u201c<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.southcom.mil\/News\/PressReleases\/Article\/4591750\/interdiction-of-narco-terrorist-refueling-vessel-sept-5-2026\/\" rel=\"noopener\">interdicted<\/a>\u201d the suspected drug-trafficking boat after receiving intelligence reports linking it to Los Choneros. It was the fourth such vessel Southern Command had sunk in September and the fifth since Aug. 28, with all of them being discovered in the Eastern Pacific Ocean.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4716250\/us-forces-sink-refueling-vessel-linked-to-los-choneros\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>US forces sink fifth \u2018refueling vessel\u2019 linked to Los Choneros terrorist organization<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4716130\/giuliani-mamdani-9-11-anniversary-ceremony\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Giuliani scorns Mamdani\u2019s presence at 9\/11 anniversary: \u2018It offends me\u2019<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4693280\/october-social-security-direct-payment-goes-out-25-days\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>October Social Security direct payment worth $994 goes out in 25 days<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIntelligence confirmed the vessel\u2019s involvement with the Los Choneros violent narco-terrorist organization,\u201d read a press release issued by Southern Command. \u201cIndividuals removed from the vessel will be transferred to Ecuadorian authorities. After clearing the vessel and disembarking the crew, U.S. forces sank it.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On Sept. 5, the Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere discovered a \u201cmulti-vessel floating refueling station\u201d that was engaged in \u201cillicit at-sea drug trafficking operations.\u201d And, just as JTF-WHEM had done with the previous Los Choneros refueling vessels, it sank the boat. Individuals aboard were detained and eventually transferred to Ecuadorian authorities.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Southern Command forces touted its latest efforts as \u201cprecise and professional operations to dismantle the logistical networks fueling narco-trafficking in the Western Hemisphere.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On Sept. 2, U.S. Southern Command Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan explained the necessity of such operations in eliminating drug cartel efforts to smuggle narcotics into the country and other parts of the Western Hemisphere. He said U.S. forces were \u201con watch\u201d against such illegal drug-trafficking efforts operating in the seas.  <\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe are taking decisive action to dismantle and destroy sophisticated logistics networks used by narco-terrorists to traffic drugs and spread violence throughout the Western Hemisphere,\u201d <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.southcom.mil\/News\/PressReleases\/Article\/4589814\/interdiction-of-narco-terrorist-refueling-vessel-sept-2-2026\/\" rel=\"noopener\">said<\/a> Donovan. \u201cThis operation demonstrated the elite capabilities and precision of Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere, which is on watch in the region to apply total systemic friction on these networks.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> previously <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4711258\/southern-command-sinks-refueling-vessel-los-choneros-terrorist-organization\/\">reported<\/a>, Los Choneros is a dangerous crime syndicate that originated in Ecuador in the 1990s. It has wreaked havoc on South American countries, committing a wave of violent crimes such as kidnapping, human trafficking, arms trafficking, and, of course, drug trafficking. Los Choneros has also regularly <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/insightcrime.org\/ecuador-organized-crime-news\/los-choneros\/\">trafficked<\/a> cocaine into the U.S. In September 2025, the Trump administration <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.state.gov\/releases\/office-of-the-spokesperson\/2025\/09\/terrorist-designations-of-los-choneros-and-los-lobos\">designated Los Choneros<\/a> as a Foreign Terrorist Organization and as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe United States, in partnership with Ecuador and its President Daniel Noboa, will continue to protect our two nations by keeping illicit drugs off our streets and disrupting the <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >revenue streams funding drug cartels\u2019 terrorism<\/a> and criminal activity,\u201d the State Department announced at the time.\u202f\u201dToday\u2019s action further demonstrates the Trump administration\u2019s unwavering commitment to eliminating cartels and ensuring the safety of the American people.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>US Navy sinks Los Choneros refueling vessel in Pacific<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2677,"featured_media":2655716,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Screenshot-2026-09-08-at-12.05.09-AM-e1788840509523.png?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[85056,85055,36116],"class_list":["post-2655715","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-los-choneros","tag-refueling-vessel","tag-us-forces"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Screenshot-2026-09-08-at-12.05.09-AM-e1788840509523.png?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2655715","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2677"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2655715"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2655715\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2655719,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2655715\/revisions\/2655719"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2655716"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2655715"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2655715"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2655715"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}