Guayaquil, Ecuador – A recent tragic incident in Ecuador’s coastal city of Guayaquil has left eight individuals dead and eight others injured following an attack by armed gunmen, according to officials from the Interior Ministry. This act of violence is part of a disturbing trend in the South American nation, where violent incidents have been on the rise.
The attack took place around 7 p.m. local time on Saturday in the southern neighborhood of Guasmo, where witnesses reported armed men arriving in a vehicle and opening fire on a group of people. Two individuals were killed on the spot, while six others succumbed to their injuries at a nearby health center due to the severity of their wounds, as confirmed by the ministry during a press briefing.
This tragic event comes on the heels of another mass killing just the day before, when five individuals who had been kidnapped were executed in the coastal province of Manabi by an armed gang. Authorities suspect that the victims, who showed signs of being tourists, were inadvertently caught in a local drug-trafficking dispute. The incident resulted in the rescue of six other kidnapped individuals, including five minors, who were safely returned to their families. Two suspects have since been apprehended by law enforcement.
Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa took to social media to address the recent violence, stating that the killings serve as a reminder of the ongoing battle against narcoterrorism and its allies. The president remains resolute in combating these forces, as evidenced by the state of emergency declared in January, which has led to increased security operations and enforced curfews in high-risk areas like Guayaquil.
The surge in violent attacks in Ecuador has shaken the nation, once known for its peace and tranquility in Latin America. The country now faces a challenging reality with a rising rate of violent deaths, reaching over 40 per 100,000 inhabitants by the end of 2023, making it one of the highest in the region.
Recent events, including the killing of a young mayor in the province of Manabi and a deadly prison riot in Guayaquil, underscore the urgent need for heightened security measures and a coordinated effort to address the root causes of violence in Ecuador. As the nation grapples with these challenges, its leaders and citizens alike are working tirelessly to restore peace and stability in the face of escalating threats.