Rubio says US will work with allies to stop trafficking
By The BriefBrief
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the Trump administration will combat drug trafficking in Latin American waters by working with allied countries and aligning with their laws, while adding that the military will still destroy ships if needed. His remarks came during a visit to Ecuador after a year of unilateral strikes on boats in international waters, with the latest US Southern Command strike in the Caribbean Sea killing three people.
WHO:Marco Rubio
WHAT:Rubio outlined a US approach to combating drug trafficking, emphasizing allied cooperation and compliance with partners’ laws while keeping the option of destroying ships.
WHEN:Reported Sep 9, 2026 at 9:02 PM ET
WHERE:Ecuador
WHY:Rubio was responding to the ongoing US campaign of unilateral deadly strikes against boats it calls “narco-terrorists” and clarifying the administration’s approach going forward.
How this story developed (showing 4 of 4 earlier reports)
