Castro, Keating Demand Answers on Any U.S. Involvement in Ecuadorian Boat Strikes

Castro, Keating Demand Answers on Any U.S. Involvement in Ecuadorian Boat Strikes

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, and Congressman Bill Keating (MA-09), senior member of both the House Armed Services and House Foreign Affairs Committees, sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin, and Admiral Kevin Lundy demanding answers on any U.S. involvement in Ecuadorian boat strikes this year that have resulted in eight missing persons.

The lawmakers highlighted the testimony of Ecuadorean survivors, writing, "According to the testimony of survivors, their attorneys, and their relatives, personnel operating from a blue U.S.-flagged patrol ship are alleged to have boarded and detained crew from two vessels, the Negra Francisca Duarte II on March 17 and the Don Maca on March 26, following what they described as attacks by uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs)."

Following the disappearance of eight missing crew members, the lawmakers underscored the lack of U.S. response to the United Nations Committee on Enforced Disappearances, writing, "The Committee specifically noted the alleged involvement of U.S. forces and called upon Ecuador and the United States to cooperate under Articles 14 and 15 of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. The Committee set a response deadline of April 27, 2026. There is currently no public indication that the United States has responded to the United Nations Committee on Enforced Disappearances' requests for information prior to or since the deadline."

The lawmakers, exercising Congress' oversight responsibility over U.S. operations abroad, are requesting key information, including information on the scope of U.S. involvement in the incidents with the Fiorella, Negra Francisca, Duarte II, or the Don Maca as well the current status and whereabouts of each individual crew members across the three vessels.

Read the full letter and investigation here.