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Ecuadorian Fisherman Survives U.S. Strike on Suspected Drug-Smuggling Vessel
An Ecuadorian fisherman survived a U.S. military strike on a suspected drug-smuggling vessel in the Caribbean. That killed two others. Highlighting the human toll of America’s expanding anti-drug operations.
Andrés Fernando Tufiño Chila, shown on the left in the framed photograph, survived a U.S. strike in the Caribbean. Photo by Evelio Contreras/CNN
An Ecuadorian fisherman was one of two survivors of a U.S. military strike on a suspected drug-smuggling vessel in the Caribbean. An attack that killed two others, according to officials. The incident, confirmed by President Donald Trump, targeted what he described as a “drug-carrying submarine” navigating toward the United States.
The survivor, identified as 41-year-old Andrés Fernando Tufiño Chila, was later returned to Ecuador, where his sister said she was shocked to learn of his involvement. “No, no … he’s not a criminal,” she told CNN. Describing him as a hardworking father of six who was simply trying to provide for his family. She added that Tufiño Chila had been struggling financially after his wife left with their children but continued to send them money.
Ecuador’s Attorney General’s Office said there is no evidence Tufiño Chila committed a crime on Ecuadorian soil. However, U.S. court records show he was convicted in 2020 for smuggling drugs off Mexico’s coast before being deported. Two of his brothers have also been arrested on drug-related charges. One in Ecuador and another in the United States.
The family’s story underscores Ecuador’s growing role as a major transit route for cocaine. With roughly 70% of the global supply passing through the country’s coastline. According to Ecuador’s president, Fishermen, who often earn as little as $100 a month, are frequently recruited by cartels to transport drugs across the Pacific Ocean. Lured by quick payouts in the tens of thousands of dollars.
The U.S. has intensified its military campaign against drug-smuggling vessels. With eight known strikes since September. Seven in the Caribbean and one in the eastern Pacific. Officials say the operations aim to curb drug trafficking into the U.S. Though many victims are low-level couriers rather than cartel leaders.
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At her coastal home, Tufiño Chila’s sister keeps his room untouched. With a lit candle beside his folded clothes a small shrine to the brother she hopes to speak with soon. “He’s very happy, fun,” she said softly. “He’s everything I loved most.”
And for fishermen like her brother, surviving on dangerous seas often requires more than luck and courage. It demands the right gear. As locals say, reliable equipment like the PETZL MGO Open 60 Auto-Locking Carabiner for Climbing isn’t just for adventurers but for anyone who faces the unpredictable power of the ocean.
