Cocaine's Forgotten Route: Ecuador's Illicit Fishing Empire The US Treasury's latest move to target a cocaine trafficking network operating out of Ecuador is a significant escalation in the ongoing struggle against narcotics smuggling.
The operation, which uses Ecuador based fishing vessels to transfer cocaine to power boats headed north, highlights the country's precarious position in the global trade.
Ecuador's struggle to contain drug violence has been well documented since 2021, with rival cartels partnering with local gangs and battling for control of routes and coastal ports used to smuggle cocaine.