Ecuador court frees 28 crew from US-sunk vessels; no drug link found

An Ecuadorian magistrate ordered the release of 28 sailors from two vessels sunk by the US, ruling there was no evidence tying them to drug trafficking. The US had alleged the ships served as fuel stations for criminal speedboats linked to Los Choneros and the Sinaloa Cartel. The release challenges the US narrative and may strain bilateral cooperation on maritime interdiction.