1. United States
2. N.C.
3. Letter

As your constituent, I’m writing to urge you to use Congress’s oversight authority to investigate serious attacks on Ecuadorean fishing vessels in the Pacific described in recent reporting, including allegations involving unidentified forces, surveillance/air activity, and the possible role of private security or contractor-linked support, possibly sponsored by the current administration. I respectfully request that you take the following measures: Conduct and/or direct committee oversight Convene hearings and/or request testimony from relevant officials in the Department of Defense and any other affected agencies, including leadership and personnel responsible for maritime/drug interdiction operations, aircraft tasking, and contracting. Request documents through formal subpoenas and record demands Seek all records related to: any tracking of Ecuadorean vessels in the relevant time period; maritime patrol/air assets operating from or near El Salvador; any rules of engagement or authorities cited for maritime/drone operations in the region; and any incident reports, after-action reviews, or internal investigations connected to these allegations. Direct relevant Inspectors General to investigate and report back Urge the relevant Inspector General(s) to open or accelerate investigations into whether U.S. government actions, contracting, or partner-country arrangements contributed to these incidents, including any contractor involvement, and to provide findings to your committee(s) on a defined timeline. Focus on contracting, command-and-control, and accountability Investigate whether any contractors or private security firms were engaged for maritime surveillance, drone support, logistics, detention/interception, or related services; clarify the scope of their authority; and determine what legal and command-and-control frameworks governed their activities. Protect due process and pursue accountability If evidence indicates potential criminal conduct, request coordination with the Department of Justice to evaluate whether any covered personnel may be prosecuted. If evidence suggests noncriminal violations, request appropriate administrative action and public reporting consistent with classification rules. Please describe publicly how these attacks will be investigated. Thank you for your attention to this matter and for your service.