The US military said it intercepted and sank a vessel in the eastern Pacific that it described as a floating refueling station linked to an Ecuadorian criminal gang, according to Al Jazeera. Available information identifies the target and general location, while casualties, evidence, ownership details and independent verification were not included in the feed. The characterization of the vessel and its alleged gang ties is attributed to US forces.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has visited Colombia, Ecuador and Peru as part of an effort to strengthen economic and security cooperation with right-wing allied governments in Latin America, according to Al Jazeera. The trip signals Washington's intention to deepen ties in the region, with Rubio emphasising expanded partnerships on trade and security matters during his stops in the three South American countries.

The U.S. Southern Command on Monday sank an Ecuadorian vessel in the Pacific that the United States alleged was linked to the criminal group Los Choneros and involved in drug trafficking. According to AP, it was the latest in a series of U.S. actions against boats in Latin America suspected of trafficking drugs. Relatives of people aboard a vessel named the Maria Candelaria, intercepted two days earlier by U.S. authorities, sought information about them at the port in Manta, Ecuador.

The United States said it destroyed Iranian tankers after one of its navy ships was targeted, according to Moneyweb. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned of retaliation, saying, "When they try to hit US naval ships, they will get hit themselves." The remarks signal a sharp escalation between Washington and Tehran following the alleged attack on the US vessel, with American forces framing the tanker strikes as a direct defensive response to threats against its naval assets.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio began a three-nation tour of Latin America on Tuesday, starting in Barranquilla, Colombia, where he met with U.S.-aligned conservative leaders. According to the Associated Press, the trip comes as the Trump administration expands military operations against drug trafficking and seeks to strengthen its position in the Western Hemisphere, including efforts to improve America's energy standing and combat illegal migration.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Washington will be "completely aligned" with Gulf allies during peace talks regarding Iran. This statement underscores the United States' commitment to collaborating with its partners in the region on issues related to Iran.