U.S. Destroys Suspected Drug Boat as Rubio Calls Cartels ‘Like a Cancer’
U.S. military targets drug-trafficking vessel in Caribbean, with Rubio calling cartels a growing threat to Latin American nations.
POLICY WIRE — Quito, Ecuador — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the military’s use of force against suspected drug-smuggling vessels during a visit to Ecuador on Wednesday, comparing organized crime networks to a growing cancer that could consume entire nations if left unchecked.
The remarks came hours after the U.S. military confirmed it conducted another lethal strike in the Caribbean Sea, targeting a boat allegedly linked to the Ecuadorian gang Los Choneros. The operation resulted in the deaths of three individuals identified as narco-terrorists, according to Southern Command.
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Rubio emphasized the need for aggressive action against criminal organizations, highlighting a shift in strategy that includes joint operations with regional allies like Ecuador. He praised new conservative leaders in the region who are working closely with the U.S. to combat drug trafficking and violent gangs. However, the campaign has drawn criticism from human rights groups and local fishermen, who claim some vessels were targeted without clear evidence of their involvement in drug crimes.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
