Fact check
“Attorney says fishers ‘losing their livelihoods’.”
Reasoning
Both excerpts from the Guardian article report that the committee’s lawyer, Fernando Bastías, said, “Fishers are losing their livelihoods when the US destroys the boats.” This matches the claim that an attorney said fishers are losing their livelihoods.
On confidence: The claim is directly quoted in two independent excerpts from the same Guardian article, confirming the attorney's statement.
Important context
The statement is attributed to Fernando Bastías, a lawyer for the committee investigating the US operations against Ecuadorian fishing vessels.
Evidence
Supporting (2)
- Tier 1 — Primary sourceUS strikes on Ecuadorian fishing boats raise humanitarian concerns but Trump admin not wavering | Ecuador | The Guardian
US forces intercepted the Ecuadorian vessel Manta on 5 September before the vessel was destroyed. Photograph: US Marine Corps Forces, South View image in fullscreen US forces intercepted the Ecuadorian vessel Manta on 5 September before…
- Tier 1 — Primary sourceUS strikes on Ecuadorian fishing boats raise humanitarian concerns but Trump admin not wavering | Ecuador | The Guardian
arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, torture and the destruction of vessels” in this year’s US operations. None of the fishers remains in custody and, while some are still facing prosecution, many have already been acquitted for…
Limitations
The evidence comes from a single news outlet; no additional independent sources were provided to corroborate the quote.
- Last verified:
- Sep 27, 2026, 4:40 AM CDT
- Pipeline:
- 2.1.0
- Claim type:
- Factual
Where this claim appeared
US strikes on Ecuadorian fishing boats raise humanitarian concerns but Trump admin not waveringThe Guardian · Tiago Rogero South America correspondent