In the coastal area of Santa Elena, Ecuador, a heartbreaking story unfolds. Andrés Fernando Tufiño Chila’s sister last spoke with him about a year ago. He mentioned he was going out to fish for work. Imagine her shock when she learned he was on a vessel involved in drug trafficking that the US military targeted. Only Tufiño Chila and one other person survived this incident, which left two others dead.
The US government described the vessel as a “drug-carrying submarine.” But to his sister, Tufiño Chila is not a criminal; he’s a devoted father of six. After his wife left him, he worked hard to send money back home. She painted the picture of a man who tried to be a good father, not a drug trafficker.
“I don’t believe he was involved in anything illegal,” she said. “He was just trying to provide for his kids.” Upon returning home, Tufiño Chila was briefly detained in Ecuador but was released soon after.
Ecuador’s government stated they found no evidence of a crime on his part within the country. However, Tufiño Chila had a criminal history in the US. He was arrested in 2020 for drug smuggling before being deported. His difficult story reflects the broader challenges facing Ecuador, a nation that has become a major transit route for drug trafficking. In fact, around 70% of the world’s cocaine supply moves through Ecuador.
This reality often drives desperate individuals into dangerous work. Fishermen in Tufiño Chila’s town often earn as little as $100 a month, leaving many vulnerable to the allure of drug running. One local fisherman highlighted the struggles they face, saying, “Life is complicated. It’s hard.” The promise of quick cash can be hard to resist, especially when traditional jobs pay so little.
The US has ramped up military action against suspected drug vessels, claiming it protects American lives from drug overdoses—though most overdoses involve fentanyl, primarily smuggled by US citizens. Most of those caught in these military strikes are not cartel leaders but fishermen who take significant risks for minimal reward.
In an increasingly dangerous environment, Tufiño Chila’s sister memorializes him at home, lighting a candle and keeping his room like a shrine. “I just want to speak with him again,” she said, clinging to hope amid uncertainty.
The story illustrates a grim reality for many in Ecuador, where economic desperation and crime intersect. As Ecuador grapples with its role in the global drug trade, families like Tufiño Chila’s continue to bear the impact.
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