US airstrikes and cartel extortion hit Ecuador fishermen

Drug cartels have turned Ecuador’s Manabi province ports into cocaine-trafficking hubs, extorting local fishermen prized for their navigation skills, NDTV reports. The fishermen face threats from both cartels and US airstrikes targeting drug routes.

Extortion has become routine in the small coastal communities. Fishermen say they have "given up fishing" as they are forced to work for traffickers or risk violence. US airstrikes in the region have added to the danger, with some civilians caught in the crossfire.

The situation has worsened as cartels expand their control over coastal areas, using fishermen to move cocaine northwards. No immediate government action has been announced to protect the affected communities.