MANTA, ECUADOR (HRNW) — Human Rights Watch is calling on the United States and Ecuador to disclose the legal basis for maritime operations involving Ecuadorian fishing vessels and investigate allegations of mistreatment of crew members.
In a statement published on October 2, Human Rights Watch said US forces intercepted and destroyed eight Ecuadorian fishing vessels between August 28 and September 16, 2026.
The organization reported that more than 140 of the 160 crew members were detained during the operations.
US authorities alleged that the vessels were being used as floating refuelling stations for drug-trafficking operations linked to the criminal group Los Choneros.
Human Rights Watch said neither government had publicly disclosed compelling evidence linking individual crew members to a crime.
The organization interviewed 27 people, including captains, crew members, relatives and lawyers, and reviewed photographs, videos, police reports and court records.
Some crew members told Human Rights Watch that they were beaten, threatened and pressured to confess to fuel trafficking.
They also alleged that they were restrained, blindfolded or deprived of adequate food, water and access to toilets while being held aboard a US naval vessel.
Human Rights Watch said it could not determine whether any of the intercepted vessels were being used for illicit refuelling.
The organization noted that crew members interviewed denied involvement in trafficking, while US authorities maintained that the vessels were connected to criminal activity.
In Ecuador, 90 crew members faced criminal investigations, according to Human Rights Watch.
The organization said Ecuadorian judges ruled the arrests of 56 crew members unlawful, while 14 others were not brought before a judge.
Human Rights Watch also reported that some crew members were required to report regularly to authorities and were restricted from leaving the country.
The organization said the US and Ecuadorian governments should disclose the criteria used to intercept and destroy vessels and clarify the legal basis for detaining crew members.
It also called for independent investigations into allegations of physical abuse and coercion.
Human Rights Watch said maritime security operations must comply with protections against arbitrary detention and cruel or inhuman treatment.
The organization emphasized that allegations of criminal activity should be assessed through lawful procedures and evidence concerning individual responsibility.
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Disclaimer
This article is based on Human Rights Watch’s October 2, 2026 statement. Descriptions of the maritime operations, detention figures and alleged mistreatment are attributed to Human Rights Watch and the people it interviewed. The organization said it could not determine whether the vessels were involved in illicit refuelling. HRNW has not independently verified the allegations.