Rubio Defends Lethal Boat Strikes As U.S. And Ecuador Expand Joint Drug Operations
On Wednesday, September 9, 2026, in Quito, Secretary of State Marco Rubio publicly defended U.S. strikes on suspected drug-trafficking boats while American forces carried out a lethal strike in the Caribbean that killed three people.[1]
Rubio said cartels would "eat these countries alive" if not confronted and added that decisions about destroying vessels are made case by case but "we still blow up ships." CBS News U.S. Southern Command described the Caribbean attack as a "lethal kinetic strike," called the three killed "narco-terrorists," and released strike footage.[1]
The Pentagon says that since President Trump returned to power, U.S. airstrikes on vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific have killed more than 200 people.[1] Recent joint U.S.-Ecuador operations have begun removing crews from at least six boats before sinking them, including two vessels allegedly linked to the Ecuadorian gang Los Choneros.[1] Ecuador has seen more than 25,000 murders over the last three years amid gang violence, a context U.S. officials cite for the aggressive operations.[1]
Rights groups, fishermen and relatives say some vessels were hit without sufficient evidence of trafficking ties, and experts question whether the strikes significantly reduce cocaine flows to the U.S.[1] Rubio also hailed Ecuador as an "aggressive" partner in the U.S. counterdrug push during his Quito visit.[2]
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📌 Key Facts
- On Wednesday, September 9, 2026, while visiting Quito, Secretary of State Marco Rubio publicly defended controversial U.S. strikes on suspected drug‑trafficking boats, saying cartels would "eat these countries alive" if not confronted and that, while decisions are made case by case, "we still blow up ships."
- The Pentagon says that since President Trump returned to power, U.S. airstrikes on vessels along trafficking routes in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific have killed more than 200 people.
- Later on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, U.S. Southern Command said American forces carried out a "lethal kinetic strike" on a go‑fast vessel in the Caribbean, killing three people it described as "narco‑terrorists" and released strike footage.
- Recent joint U.S.-Ecuador operations have shifted tactics by removing crews from at least six boats before sinking the vessels, including two sinkings of vessels allegedly linked to the Ecuadorian gang Los Choneros.
- Rights groups, fishermen and relatives have questioned the campaign, alleging some vessels were hit without sufficient evidence of trafficking ties, and experts have raised doubts that the strikes significantly curb cocaine and other drug flows to the U.S.
- The article notes that in Ecuador more than 25,000 people have been murdered over the last three years amid gang violence, which U.S. officials cite as context for the aggressive joint operations.
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- On Wednesday, September 9, 2026, while visiting Quito, Secretary of State Marco Rubio publicly defended controversial U.S. strikes on suspected drug-trafficking boats, saying cartels would 'eat these countries alive' if not confronted.
- The Pentagon says that since President Trump returned to power, U.S. airstrikes on vessels along trafficking routes in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific have killed more than 200 people.
- Rights groups, fishermen and relatives have questioned the campaign, alleging some vessels were hit without sufficient evidence of trafficking ties, and experts have raised doubts that the strikes significantly curb cocaine and other drug flows to the U.S.
- Recent joint U.S.-Ecuador operations have shifted tactics by removing crews from at least six boats before sinking the vessels, including two recent sinkings of vessels allegedly linked to the Ecuadorian gang Los Choneros.
- Rubio said decisions about destroying vessels are made case by case based on threat, location and local law but added, 'we still blow up ships.'
- Later on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, U.S. Southern Command said American forces carried out a 'lethal kinetic strike' on a go-fast vessel along narco-trafficking routes in the Caribbean, killing three people it described as 'narco-terrorists,' and released strike footage.
- The article notes that in Ecuador more than 25,000 people have been murdered over the last three years amid gang violence, which U.S. officials cite as context for the aggressive joint operations.