Survivors of Pacific boat strikes allege U.S. forces kidnapped and tortured them

Fishermen who survived airstrikes on fishing boats off Ecuador's Pacific coast told Drop Site News that Ecuadorian troops backed by the U.S. blindfolded and detained them after the strikes. Survivors said troops beat and tortured detainees and erased videos from victims' phones before releasing some people. The accounts add to mounting reports of airstrikes and abuse under Ecuador's U.S.-backed military regime and are increasing calls from rights groups and lawmakers for independent investigations.