Gunmen attacked a group of people in Ecuador’s coastal city of Guayaquil, killing nine and injuring 10 others in the latest violent incident in the South American country. The attack took place in the southern neighborhood of Guasmo, where a group of people were practicing sports. The armed group arrived in a grey Chevrolet Spark and proceeded to shoot at the individuals present, resulting in the casualties. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, and the police are investigating the incident.
This attack was the second mass killing in as many days in Ecuador. Just a day prior, five people who had been kidnapped were killed execution-style in the coastal province of Manabi by an armed gang. It was revealed that the victims were likely tourists who were mistakenly caught up in a local drug-trafficking dispute. Police were able to rescue the remaining six individuals who had been kidnapped, including five minors, and two suspects were arrested in connection to the incident.
In response to these violent incidents, Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa declared that the battle against narcoterrorism and its allies continues in the country. Despite once being considered a bastion of peace in Latin America, Ecuador has seen a surge in violent attacks in recent years, prompting the government to take action. A state of emergency was declared in January, allowing for permanent operations by a security force composed of police and military, as well as implementing a five-hour curfew in high-incidence areas like Guayaquil.
The increase in violence in Ecuador was further highlighted by the killing of the 27-year-old mayor of a small town in the province of Manabi along with her collaborator. Both individuals were found with gunshot wounds inside a vehicle. Additionally, a riot in a Guayaquil prison under military and police control resulted in three inmates dead and four injured. Ecuador’s rate of violent deaths per 100,000 inhabitants surpassed 40 at the end of 2023, which is one of the highest in the region according to police statistics. The government continues to work towards addressing the underlying issues that contribute to the increase in violence in the country.
