Gunmen Attack Cockfight in Ecuador: 12 Dead, Four Arrested

Ecuadorian police apprehended four individuals following a shooting incident at a cockfighting ring that claimed the lives of 12 attendees. The attack, reportedly carried out by gunmen in military attire, is suspected to be gang-related, highlighting the escalating violence due to criminal activities tied to drug trafficking.

Police in Ecuador announced the arrest of four suspects connected to a brutal attack at a cockfighting event in La Valencia, where 12 people were shot dead. The violent incident occurred in the rural Manabí province, prompting law enforcement to seize weapons alongside replicas of police and military uniforms during follow-up raids. Disturbing footage circulated on social media depicted the panic as gunmen stormed the venue, leading terrified spectators to flee for safety.

Local media reports indicate that the assailants, dressed in counterfeit military gear, are believed to belong to a criminal gang, likely targeting rivals present at the event. In response to the violence, provincial authorities have initiated a criminal investigation aimed at identifying and dismantling the gangs infiltrating the region.

The escalation of violence in Ecuador has prompted concern, with approximately 20 criminal gangs engaged in fierce competition for control over drug trafficking routes, particularly those related to cocaine. President Daniel Noboa has asserted that nearly 70% of the world's cocaine passes through Ecuadorian ports destined for markets in the U.S. and Europe. The country's strategic location provides easy access to cocaine manufactured in neighboring Colombia and Peru, which are recognized as the leading global producers of the drug.

Ecuador has experienced a spike in violent crime, marked by a record 781 murders in January alone—accounting for the deadliest month in recent history. The majority of these violent incidents have been linked to the ongoing struggle for power within the illegal drug trade, spotlighting a worrying trend of increasing instability within the nation.