Salvador intercepts ships bound for Ecuador, loaded with weapons from Mexico and tons of cocaine

El Salvador’s navy captured a ship in Pacific waters on Friday that was carrying weapons bound for Ecuador. President Nayib Bukele tweeted that the weapons were being sent by Mexican drug cartels to affiliated gangs in Ecuador. He added that the seizure was one of several in recent months that also included the seizure of nine tons of cocaine bound for Ecuador.

A photo from El Salvador’s navy shows the capture of the crew of a ship carrying weapons and cocaine to Ecuador in July.

A spokesman for the Salvadoran navy said the ocean off El Salvador is a popular route for weapons and cocaine shipped from Mexican ports to Ecuador and Peru. “We catch a lot of Mexican ships off our coast heading south,” he said. “This happens several times a month with boats carrying drugs and weapons. We can tell by the markings on the packaging that these are shipped by Mexican cartels.”

The spokesman put the street value of the cocaine seized since May at $233 million and said it was destined for European ports in the Netherlands, Spain and France. No value was attached to the “numerous” weapons seizures but believed it was well in excess of $10 million.

In his tweet, Bukele detailed an operation that intercepted a Mexican boat headed to Ecuador. “The interception took place on August 6, 500 nautical miles southwest of the Bocana El Cordoncillo, Estero de Jaltepeque. We seized several tons of cocaine, plus automatic weapons and thousands of rounds of ammunition. The crew, made up of Guatemalans, tried to set the boat on fire when naval personnel intervened. What they told us is that they have taken the same route many times and that other boats do the same.”

Bukele said the navy has been successful in keeping drugs and weapons out of El Salvador, but admitted that ships heading south often stop at secret docks to transfer material to other boats.

“Our national navy has been very successful in intercepting vessels involved in these operations,” Bukele said. “We are happy to assist our Ecuadorian friends in these missions, but understand that we only stop a small percentage of shipments.”

He added: “The Mexican drug cartels have chosen Ecuador as their preferred ports. They have also declared war, through associated gangs, on the government there. Fortunately, the government there is fighting back with great success.”