Between Cartel Threats And US Airstrikes, Ecuador Fishermen Have Nowhere To Hide
At first light on Ecuador's Pacific coast, small fishing boats fan out from the villages of San Mateo and surrounding areas, braving treacherous waters and cartel threats. The fishermen, who have long been a vital part of Ecuador's economy, are now facing a new challenge: the risk of US airstrikes.
The US military has been conducting operations in the region, targeting narco-trafficking groups that have been using Ecuador's waters as a transit point. While the US efforts aim to disrupt the cartels' activities, they have also raised concerns among local fishermen, who fear being caught in the crossfire.
The situation has left Ecuador's fishermen with nowhere to hide, as they struggle to make a living in a region plagued by violence and instability. With the US military presence increasing, the risks for these small-scale fishermen are growing, and their livelihoods are under threat.