Guayaquil, Ecuador – A brutal massacre in the Nueva Prosperina district of Guayaquil has left 22 people dead and three injured, according to the National Police of Ecuador. The attack, carried out by an estimated 20 armed individuals, occurred around 3:00 PM local time on Thursday, March 6, 2025, across three neighborhoods in the densely populated area.
The majority of the victims were concentrated in the Socio Vivienda 2 neighborhood, where the armed group stormed multiple residences, killing 19 people. Police have attributed the massacre to an ongoing feud between the Igualitos and Fénix factions of the Los Tiguerones criminal gang, which are vying for control of the area and supremacy within the organization.
Witnesses reported that the attackers descended into the area from the surrounding hillsides, bypassing the main entrance, which is under military surveillance. Police have also stated that several of the victims and injured individuals had prior criminal records, including robbery, drug trafficking, and illegal possession of weapons.
Authorities have launched extensive operations to apprehend the perpetrators and are on high alert for potential retaliatory attacks.
The mayor of Guayaquil, Aquiles Álvarez, condemned the violence, describing the situation in Nueva Prosperina as "barbaric." He also gave a higher number of deaths, that was not confirmed by police. Mayor Alvarez stated "at least 20 hitmen, armed with rifles and 9-millimeter pistols, roamed the streets executing in cold blood". He also stated that "Nueva Prosperina is a battlefield, leaving defenseless neighbors in the middle, who today live in fear". Alvarez also critisized the Noboa governments focus on inspections of his families resturants, while he feels they should be focusing on the rising crime.
This surge in violence comes as Ecuador grapples with a nationwide "internal armed conflict" declared by President Daniel Noboa in January 2024, aimed at combating organized crime. Guayaquil, a key port city, has become a focal point of this conflict, with criminal gangs battling for control of lucrative drug trafficking routes.
Ecuador, strategically located between major cocaine-producing countries, has seen a dramatic increase in violence in recent years. The homicide rate has surged, making it one of the most violent countries in Latin America.
The massacre also occurs amidst the 2025 presidential election campaign, with President Noboa seeking reelection against Luisa González of the Citizen Revolution movement. The ongoing violence has become a central issue in the election, with candidates debating the most effective strategies for restoring peace and security to the nation.
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