Ecuador freed Andrés Fernando Tufiño, a survivor of a U.S. strike on a suspected drug‑trafficking semi‑submersible, after prosecutors said there was no evidence he committed a crime. U.S. forces evacuated the crew; two died. The Ecuadorian was repatriated in good health, while a Colombian survivor remains hospitalized in Colombia and will face prosecution, officials said. The strike is part of U.S. Caribbean operations that have killed at least 32 and drawn criticism. President Trump called the craft a drug‑laden “submarine” and the men “terrorists.” Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa vowed to fight trafficking.

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.