Ecuadorian fishermen who survived US boat strikes sue Trump administration
Sixteen Ecuadorian fishermen are suing the US government after surviving a military drone attack in March that sank their boat and left two with serious burns.
The lawsuit, to be filed in US district court for the western district of Pennsylvania, alleges the fishermen were illegally targeted by an unidentified US military vessel approximately 385 nautical miles from the port of Manta. The attack occurred on 17 March as they returned from a two-week fishing trip.
Two armed drones exploded on the La Negra Francesca Duarte II, setting it ablaze and destroying it completely. Two crew members suffered burns on their legs, arms and back before the men jumped overboard into emergency boats.
Operation Southern Spear
The attack was part of the Trump administration's Operation Southern Spear campaign, announced in November 2025 to counter "narco-terrorists" in the Caribbean and Pacific. Wola reported as many as 250 people have been killed in subsequent attacks, which the group considers extrajudicial executions due to lack of proof of trafficking involvement.
The fishermen insist they had no connection with the drug trade and were illegally targeted. They were pursued by a surveillance drone after abandoning their vessel and later restrained by US military personnel in camouflage uniforms who placed plastic hoods over their heads.
Detention and legal action
After being taken to a detention center in El Salvador, the fishermen were imprisoned for several weeks. The lawsuit seeks unspecified financial compensation for the attack and their subsequent "kidnapping and torture." The loss of their vessel has prevented them from working or supporting their families.
Legal arguments
The fishermen's lawsuit states the "manifestly unlawful" attack came after Ecuadorian authorities inspected the boat and determined it was not carrying drugs. They argue the strike was illegal as it was conducted without congressional authority and violates international law.
The complaint alleges the attacks "constitute torts under general admiralty and maritime law" and violate long-standing and well-accepted international law as there was no armed conflict to justify military force against defenseless vessels and individuals.
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