US sinks fourth Ecuadorian vessel in eight days in Pacific

The Ecuadorian Navy confirmed the return of 26 crew members from the fishing vessel María Candelaria after a coordinated operation with the U.S. This marks the fourth vessel sunk by U.S. forces in the Pacific in eight days, a significant escalation in maritime interdiction operations. The pattern suggests a deliberate campaign against illegal fishing or smuggling, but the specific legal basis and targets remain unclear.