Seventeen victims, including a 12-year-old boy, were killed in a mass shooting at La Clínica bar in El Empalme, Ecuador. The attack is emblematic of the country's ongoing struggle with drug-related violence.
Ecuador Mass Shooting Claims 17 Lives Amid Rising Drug Violence
Ecuador Mass Shooting Claims 17 Lives Amid Rising Drug Violence
A tragic incident in Ecuador as gunmen attack a bar, resulting in numerous fatalities, including a child, highlighting the nation's escalating violence.
In a shocking escalation of violence in Ecuador, a mass shooting on a Sunday night has left 17 people dead, including a young boy, and 14 others injured in the town of El Empalme. The attack occurred at La Clínica bar when gunmen, reportedly associated with a local gang, fired indiscriminately at patrons with pistols and rifles, leaving a gruesome scene marked by multiple fatalities and extensive ballistic evidence scattered throughout the area.
Witnesses recounted a harrowing scene where the assailants shouted "active wolves," which is believed to reference a gang competing for control of drug trafficking routes in the region. Police Major Oscar Valencia confirmed that the child among the victims ran over a kilometer before collapsing from gunshot wounds.
The incident is part of a larger trend of escalating violence in Ecuador. Just a week prior, another shooting in the tourist area of Playas resulted in the deaths of nine individuals who were described as "collateral victims" in a fight between rival gangs. The country, once seen as a relatively peaceful nation, has become increasingly embroiled in the drug war, with a homicide rate that rose to 38 per 100,000 people in 2024.
President Daniel Noboa initiated a campaign against organized crime last year in response to the violence, but the situation has only worsened. Recent statistics reveal that Ecuador recorded a staggering 4,051 homicides in just the first five months of this year, illuminating the urgent need for effective policies to combat the organized crime epidemic that has latched onto the nation.
As the region grapples with the devastating impacts of such violence, the country's security and public safety remain critical concerns amid a backdrop of rampant drug trafficking, with nearly three-quarters of the world's cocaine production reportedly passing through Ecuador.
