In a grim reminder of the violence plaguing regions of Latin America, a shooting at La Clínica bar in El Empalme left 17 dead, including a 12-year-old boy. The attack occurred late Sunday evening when assailants in two pickup trucks opened fire with pistols and rifles. Witnesses reported the gunmen shouted "active wolves," possibly referencing a local gang embroiled in drug trafficking disputes. Police Major Oscar Valencia informed of the devastating scene where the wounded child, having fled over a kilometer, succumbed to his injuries.
Local media captured chilling images of bodies lying in the streets, further highlighting the grim reality faced by communities. Over the past week, violence in the Guayas region intensified, with another bar shooting resulting in nine casualties. Authorities characterized those killed in the earlier incident as "collateral victims," indicating the indiscriminate nature of such violent acts fueled by gang conflicts.
Despite President Daniel Noboa's declaration of war on organized crime last year, Ecuador continues to spiral into chaos. Official data reveals a staggering homicide rate of 38 per 100,000 people in 2024, with over 4,051 homicides recorded in just the first five months of 2025. As a critical transit point for cocaine, nearly three-quarters of the world's supply passes through Ecuador, making it a hotspot for violent clashes between powerful drug lords.
The consequences of this escalating drug war have now permeated the everyday lives of citizens, leaving communities in fear and mourning the deep scars left by such tragic events.
Local media captured chilling images of bodies lying in the streets, further highlighting the grim reality faced by communities. Over the past week, violence in the Guayas region intensified, with another bar shooting resulting in nine casualties. Authorities characterized those killed in the earlier incident as "collateral victims," indicating the indiscriminate nature of such violent acts fueled by gang conflicts.
Despite President Daniel Noboa's declaration of war on organized crime last year, Ecuador continues to spiral into chaos. Official data reveals a staggering homicide rate of 38 per 100,000 people in 2024, with over 4,051 homicides recorded in just the first five months of 2025. As a critical transit point for cocaine, nearly three-quarters of the world's supply passes through Ecuador, making it a hotspot for violent clashes between powerful drug lords.
The consequences of this escalating drug war have now permeated the everyday lives of citizens, leaving communities in fear and mourning the deep scars left by such tragic events.
