The judicial ruling benefits eight sailors from the vessel *Conquista II* and 24 from the *Maria Candelaria*; these were two of the eight fishing boats destroyed by US military forces—in cooperation with the Ecuadorian government—between August 28 and September 16.

Although US Southern Command stated that the vessels were operating as floating refueling stations for drug trafficking and alleged links to the criminal organization *Los Choneros*, the judge determined that no crime had been committed.

Following their release, the fishermen will consider taking legal action to demand that the Prosecutor’s Office investigate the destruction of their livelihoods and their alleged abduction prior to being handed over to the Ecuadorian Armed Forces.

Last week, Ecuador’s Defense Minister, Giancarlo Loffredo, defended the destruction of Ecuadorian vessels on the high seas by US forces.

In an interview with the radio station Radio Centro, Loffredo noted that there were valid reasons for choosing to destroy the vessels rather than towing them to shore.

The attacks drew criticism from human rights organizations and UN Special Rapporteur Ben Saul, who called for greater transparency regarding the grounds for the interceptions, the evidence against the crew members, and the legal safeguards applied.

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