U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) said a joint task force intercepted a vessel used as a refueling station for allegedly at-sea drug trafficking operations in the eastern Pacific Ocean.

SOUTHCOM said in an X post on Thursday (September 3) that intelligence had confirmed the vessel was operating in support of the Los Choneros violent narco-terrorist organization.

Footage posted on X by SOUTHCOM, said to be from Thursday, showed a vessel at sea being boarded by operatives. It said that individuals removed from the vessel will be turned over to Ecuadorian authorities. After clearing, U.S. forces sank the vessel.

Reuters was not able to independently verify the location and date when the video was filmed. No older versions of the footage were found posted online before September 3.

The U.S. Department of War and the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition said they remain unwavering in their mission to defeat narco-terrorists in the Western Hemisphere and defend their homeland.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

GIVEN AS EASTERN PACIFIC OCEAN (RELEASED SEPTEMBER 3, 2026) (US SOUTHERN COMMAND - Must on-screen courtesy US Southern Command) (MUTE)

1. HELICOPTER AND OPERATIVES ON SPEEDBOAT APPROACHING VESSEL

2. VARIOUS OF OPERATIVES ON SPEEDBOAT BOARDING VESSEL

3. VESSEL BLOWING UP

4. SMOKE RISING FROM BLOWN-UP VESSEL