August 13, 2026 · Foreign Policy, War & National Security
· Investigative report
Developing
Washington Post Reports a Covert CIA Program Was Behind the Drone Attacks on Ecuadorian Fishing Boats
The Washington Post reported on August 13, 2026 that strikes on Ecuadorian fishing boats near the Galapagos Islands this year were carried out as part of a covert CIA program. One person with knowledge of the matter, speaking anonymously, called it a covert action program: an operation approved by the president in which the U.S. role is not acknowledged.
If the account holds, it would place a U.S. intelligence agency behind lethal attacks on civilian vessels under an authority built to keep the government's hand hidden.
A New York Times investigation the previous day reported survivors describing drone attacks by English-speaking men in American flag patches. The Pentagon denies Southern Command knew of or took part in the attacks. Eight crew of the Fiorella are missing since January.
If the account holds, it would place a U.S. intelligence agency behind lethal attacks on civilian vessels under an authority built to keep the government's hand hidden.
A New York Times investigation the previous day reported survivors describing drone attacks by English-speaking men in American flag patches. The Pentagon denies Southern Command knew of or took part in the attacks. Eight crew of the Fiorella are missing since January.
Sources
- Covert CIA program said to be behind mysterious attacks on Galapagos boats — The Washington Post, 2026-08-13
- Mysterious Attacks on Ecuadorian Fishers Raise Fears of Expanded US Boat Bombings — Common Dreams, 2026-08-12 Supporting