Gang Gunfights in Ecuador Leave 22 Dead

GUAYAQUIL, Ecuador, 7 March 2025 (BSS/AFP) – At least 22 people were killed on Thursday as rival factions of an Ecuadorian drug trafficking gang engaged in violent clashes in the port city of Guayaquil, officials have confirmed.

In addition, three individuals sustained injuries in a series of internecine gunfights, according to local police, who revised an earlier death toll of 12.

A police source told AFP that the violence involved opposing factions of Los Tigerones, one of the most formidable criminal groups in Ecuador, a country that has increasingly fallen prey to organised crime.

Ecuador, strategically positioned between the world’s largest cocaine producers, Peru and Colombia, is home to an estimated 20 criminal gangs engaged in drug trafficking, extortion, and kidnapping. The rapid expansion of these groups has led to unprecedented levels of violence in what was once a relatively peaceful nation.

Homicide rates have surged dramatically in recent years, rising from six per 100,000 inhabitants in 2018 to a staggering 47 in 2023. Experts attribute this escalation to the evolving nature of the gangs, which continue to grow in power due to lucrative criminal enterprises.

Guayaquil, a major hub for drug shipments bound for the United States and Europe, is the capital of Guayas province—one of seven provinces currently under a state of emergency as authorities struggle to curb the spiralling violence.

Last month, President Daniel Noboa announced plans to seek assistance from allied nations, proposing the deployment of special forces to aid in the fight against the gangs. However, despite the government’s intensified efforts, the bloodshed continues.

The surge in gang-related violence comes at a critical time as Ecuador prepares for the second round of presidential elections on 13 April, in which President Noboa will face leftist candidate Luisa González. The deteriorating security situation has become a central issue in the election campaign, with both candidates vowing to restore stability to the nation.

Context & Background:
Ecuador has increasingly become a hotspot for organised crime, with its ports being used as key transit points for international drug trafficking. Guayaquil, in particular, has seen a sharp rise in cartel-related violence, mirroring the struggles of other Latin American nations plagued by powerful drug syndicates. The government’s response, including the declaration of emergency measures and military interventions, has had limited success in curbing the crisis. The upcoming elections are expected to be heavily influenced by the public’s demand for stronger security policies.