JTF-WHEM sinks fifth Los Choneros-linked 'floating refueling station' off Ecuador

On 7 September, Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere interdicted a floating refueling station in the Eastern Pacific that SOUTHCOM said intelligence confirmed was supporting the Los Choneros narco-terrorist organization's at-sea trafficking operations — the fifth such interdiction since 28 August. The crew was disembarked before the empty vessel was sunk; no casualties were reported, extending the pause in lethal strikes that had held since 25 August.