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Gang Shootouts in Ecuador Leave 22 Dead
A violent clash between rival factions of a drug trafficking gang in Ecuador's port city of Guayaquil left at least 22 people dead on Thursday, according to officials. Three others were wounded in the gunfights, which escalated after initial reports put the death toll at 12.
The gunfire involved factions of Los Tigerones, one of the most powerful criminal gangs in Ecuador. The violence highlights the growing power of organized crime in the country, which has seen a surge in drug-related activity and gang wars.
Ecuador, located between Peru and Colombia—two of the world’s largest cocaine producers—is home to around 20 criminal gangs involved in drug trafficking, extortion, and kidnapping. The country has been grappling with a rise in violence as transnational cartels increasingly use Ecuador's ports, particularly Guayaquil, to ship cocaine to the U.S. and Europe.
In recent years, Ecuador's homicide rate has skyrocketed, from six per 100,000 residents in 2018 to a record 47 per 100,000 in 2023. Experts warn that the gangs are growing stronger, funded by illicit activities and the booming drug trade.
Guayaquil is in Guayas province, where a state of emergency has been in place for the past two months as the government intensifies efforts to combat organized crime. Last month, President Daniel Noboa announced plans to request international assistance, including special forces, to aid in the battle against the gangs.
With the violence continuing, Ecuador is set to hold a runoff election on April 13, where President Noboa will face leftist candidate Luisa Gonzalez.