Ecuador Says US Sinkings Of Vessels Were Part Of Joint Anti-Drug Probe

By Alexandra Valencia and Yury Garcia

QUITO, Sept 4 (Reuters) – Ecuador defended on Friday U.S. operations that intercepted and sank three Ecuadorean vessels this week, while relatives of some crew members said the men were fishermen and accused Washington of acting without evidence.

The episode is the latest in a widening U.S. campaign against maritime drug trafficking in the eastern Pacific, one that has drawn criticism from rights groups and concern in Latin America over the use of lethal force at sea.

Relatives disputed the official account. The wife of one crew member, who identified herself as 47-year-old Rosalba, without