US strike on Ecuadorian fishing boat draws humanitarian concern while Rubio holds line

On 8 September a US patrol destroyed the fishing boat Don Rufo in international waters near Ecuador; captain Mero Calderón, 50, said armed US personnel ignored their catch, handcuffed six fishers, and bombed the vessel, while ten crew drifted until Ecuador’s navy rescued them on 10 September. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was decorated in Quito for regional peace as Southern Command posted a 14-second video citing gang refueling intelligence the fishers deny; Rubio said the US would still blow up ships if needed, and attorneys warn fishers are losing livelihoods. It was one of eight recent US operations involving Ecuadorian boats.