Ecuador Fishermen Trapped Between Cartel Extortion and Alleged US Airstrikes

Fishermen in Ecuador's coastal Manabí province are reportedly caught between two dangerous forces: criminal gangs demanding money and alleged US military strikes targeting suspected drug-trafficking vessels offshore.

The situation has pushed some fishermen to abandon their traditional livelihoods, while others reportedly face pressure to participate in cocaine smuggling to survive.

Cartels Demand Thousands From Fishermen

According to the report, drug gangs operating in Manabí allegedly force fishermen to pay around $1,200 for every fishing trip. Those who refuse reportedly face threats against themselves or their families.

For fishermen already struggling with the low and unpredictable income associated with legal fishing, the demands can make it difficult to continue operating.

Some fishermen are reportedly offered a far more lucrative but dangerous alternative: transporting cocaine for criminal organisations.

Those who agree to smuggle drugs can allegedly earn as much as $40,000 per trip, a sum vastly higher than what they can make through legitimate fishing.

The economic disparity has created a difficult choice for coastal communities, where fishermen can face threats from criminal groups even when they have no desire to participate in the drug trade.

US Operation Targets Suspected Drug Boats

The situation has become even more complicated because of US military operations against suspected drug-trafficking vessels.

Since September, the United States says its Operation Southern Spear has destroyed 67 vessels and killed more than 220 people suspected of involvement in drug trafficking.

The US campaign is intended to disrupt maritime routes used by drug organisations, but reports of additional attacks involving Ecuadorian fishing boats have raised concerns about whether legitimate fishermen may also be caught up in the operations.

Two attacks involving fishing vessels from Manabí have not been officially claimed by Washington, although they reportedly resembled the broader US boat-strike campaign.

Survivors Describe Drone Attack

Survivors of one incident reportedly said that a drone strike set their fishing vessel on fire.

The fishermen said that after the attack, they were detained by armed men who spoke English. They were reportedly transferred to a Salvadoran navy vessel before eventually being sent back to Ecuador.

The circumstances surrounding the incident remain disputed, and the US has not officially claimed responsibility for the two attacks described in the report.

The uncertainty has added to fears among fishermen who say they can face danger both from criminal organisations operating along the coast and from military operations taking place at sea.

Fishermen Missing Since January

The risks have also been underscored by the disappearance of fishermen.

At least eight fishermen aboard a vessel called the Fiorella have reportedly been missing since January.

Their fate remains unclear, adding to anxiety among fishing communities already dealing with extortion and the growing militarisation of maritime anti-drug operations.

A Difficult Choice for Coastal Communities

For fishermen in Manabí, the situation highlights the increasingly complicated consequences of Ecuador's drug-trafficking crisis.

Legal fishing can expose workers to extortion, while refusing cartel demands can allegedly put their families at risk. Participating in cocaine trafficking offers dramatically higher financial rewards but carries severe legal and physical dangers.

At the same time, fishermen operating offshore face uncertainty over whether they could be mistaken for drug-trafficking vessels during US-led operations.

The result is a community caught between criminal coercion on land and the dangers of military enforcement at sea, leaving many fishermen questioning whether continuing their traditional livelihood is worth the risks.