In a shocking incident in rural Ecuador, criminals dressed in fake military uniforms launched an attack on spectators attending a cockfight, resulting in the tragic deaths of 12 unarmed individuals and wounding several others. The assault occurred on Thursday night in the community of La Valencia, located in northwest Ecuador, as reported by local police.
Security footage from the event captured the harrowing moment when a group of at least five armed men entered the arena and opened fire with automatic rifles on a crowd of dozens. The attackers utilized replica military uniforms, a tactic increasingly employed by criminal gangs in Ecuador, which has experienced skyrocketing violence and crime rates linked to drug trafficking and gang wars.
Witnesses described a scene of chaos as spectators reacted to the gunfire, with many flinging themselves to the ground and seeking cover under their seats amid the deadly crossfire. Police colonel Renan Miller Rivera confirmed the grim toll of the attack, stating, “We have 12 people deceased as a result of an armed attack by a criminal group,” while also noting that several others sustained injuries, though he did not specify the exact number.
In response to the attack, authorities have detained four individuals, including what has been described as a “target of intermediate value,” according to national police chief Victor Hugo Zarate. The police chief further communicated on social media that the prompt action led to the apprehension of suspects within 24 hours of the massacre, underscoring the urgency and seriousness of the investigation.
Following the violent incident, law enforcement officials discovered discarded military-style uniforms and uncovered two abandoned vehicles on a nearby highway—one having been set on fire and the other overturned, indicating a hasty escape by the attackers.
Ecuador, a nation of around 18 million people, has been grappling with escalating violence driven by the activities of approximately 20 criminal gangs involved in various illegal operations, including trafficking, kidnapping, and extortion. Over recent years, as transnational cartels have increasingly used Ecuadorian ports to ship cocaine to international markets, the country has become entrenched in a fierce battle for dominance over drug routes. According to reports from the interior ministry, about 73 percent of the world’s cocaine transits through Ecuador, highlighting the nation’s significant role in the global drug trade.
The pervasive violence has prompted the government to declare a state of emergency, which was recently renewed by President Daniel Noboa following his re-election in a recent election. During his campaign, President Noboa proposed the potential deployment of U.S. special forces to help combat the escalating drug violence and indicated an openness to legal reforms that might allow the establishment of U.S. military bases in Ecuador to assist in this endeavor.
This latest incident underscores the dire situation in Ecuador as the nation faces rampant drug-related violence that not only claims lives but also instills fear within communities, highlighting the urgent need for effective strategies to restore peace and security.
