Families of missing Ecuadorian fishermen claim US involvement

Families of eight Ecuadorian fishermen who disappeared after alerting authorities to U.S. surveillance activities at sea are pressing for answers from both Ecuadorian and American officials. The men, who were part of a small coastal fishing crew, were last seen on a routine outing in the Pacific Ocean when they reported an unidentified vessel conducting aerial and maritime monitoring near their fishing grounds. Shortly thereafter, contact with the boat was lost, and the fishermen have not been located despite search efforts by Ecuadorian maritime agencies.

Ecuador’s Ministry of Fisheries confirmed the incident and has opened an investigation, while the U.S. Embassy in Quito stated it is reviewing the claim of surveillance and cooperating with any inquiries. The families, gathered in Guayaquil, have called for a transparent inquiry and for the release of any data that could clarify the circumstances surrounding the disappearance. Authorities have not yet disclosed findings, and the case remains open as both governments continue to assess the situation.