US, Ecuador Troops Destroy Dairy Farm After Mistaking It for Drug Trafficking Base

An investigation has found that the military destroyed a dairy farm in the village of San Martin, Ecuador, after mistaking it for a drug trafficking training camp.

The New York Times reported this after visiting the site and interviewing the farm owner, workers and local residents. The attack took place in early March as part of a joint operation by Ecuador and the United States against armed groups.

Witnesses said that on March 3, Ecuadorian soldiers arrived at the farm by helicopter. The troops doused buildings with gasoline and set them on fire after interrogating and beating four farm workers with rifle butts.

Three days later, helicopters returned and dropped explosives on the remains of the buildings. Footage from that strike was later released by U.S. and Ecuadorian officials as evidence of the destruction of a Comandos de la Frontera militant base.

The farm’s owner, identified as Miguel, presented property documents and photos taken before the destruction. The 140-hectare farm had more than 50 cows.

Local residents denied the presence of dozens of armed men at the site, as claimed by the military. Journalists at the scene found only the ruins of wooden buildings, remains of agricultural equipment and dead poultry.

A coalition of Ecuadorian human rights groups has filed a complaint with the United Nations over the incident. Activists described the military’s actions as an attack on civilians and called for an independent investigation.