The coastal province of Manabi, Ecuador, has become a focal point for international drug trafficking, placing local fishermen in a precarious position. Criminal cartels operating in the region have increasingly targeted these workers, leveraging their specialized knowledge of local waters to facilitate the transport of cocaine. This exploitation has forced many fishermen to abandon their traditional livelihoods, as they are either coerced into participating in illicit activities or threatened with violence if they refuse.

Simultaneously, the region has become a theater for aggressive counter-narcotics operations. The United States, in coordination with local authorities, has conducted airstrikes aimed at dismantling the infrastructure used by these cartels. While these operations are intended to disrupt the flow of narcotics, they have created a dangerous environment for the local population. The fishermen, who rely on the coastal waters for their survival, now face the constant risk of being caught in these military strikes or being displaced by the ongoing conflict between state forces and criminal syndicates. The situation has led to a significant decline in the local fishing industry, as the combination of cartel intimidation and the threat of aerial bombardment makes the trade increasingly untenable.