In recent weeks, Ecuador has been grappling with a series of alarming events that have highlighted the country’s delicate security situation. Car bombings in the capital of Quito, as well as the hostage-taking of over 50 law enforcement officers in various prisons, have further exacerbated concerns. These incidents come shortly after the shocking assassination of a presidential candidate, Fernando Villavicencio.
The National Police of Ecuador has reported no injuries resulting from the four explosions in Quito and a province bordering Peru. Similarly, Interior Minister Juan Zapata has confirmed that none of the law enforcement officers held hostage in multiple prisons have been harmed. Authorities have attributed these brazen actions to the response of criminal groups to the relocation of inmates and other measures taken by the country’s corrections system.
Ecuador’s National Service for Attention to Persons Deprived of Liberty, responsible for the management of prisons, has struggled to maintain control over large penitentiaries in recent years. Riots in these facilities have frequently turned violent, resulting in numerous deaths. In an attempt to manage gang-related disputes, authorities have resorted to transferring inmates to different locations.
The bombings occurred in Quito, with the first blast targeting an area previously occupied by an office of the corrections system. The second explosion took place outside the agency’s current location. Gas cylinders, fuel, fuses, and blocks of dynamite were discovered among the debris at the crime scenes. In addition to the incidents in Quito, further explosions involving gas tanks occurred in the El Oro communities of Casacay and Bella India.
In another concerning development, an explosive device detonated in the city of Cuenca, damaging a car. This incident occurred in the vicinity of one of the prisons where law enforcement officers are being held hostage. According to Interior Minister Zapata, seven of the hostages are police officers, while the remainder consists of prison guards. A video circulating on social media, confirmed to be authentic by Zapata, shows Lt. Alonso Quintana surrounded by fellow officers and corrections personnel, urging authorities not to violate the rights of those in custody. Lt. Quintana reveals that approximately 30 individuals are being held captive by the inmates.
The surge in violence within Ecuador over the past few years can be attributed to a power vacuum resulting from the killing of Jorge Zambrano, also known as “Rasquiña” or “JL,” the former leader of the Los Choneros gang. Los Choneros and other similar groups, connected to Mexican and Colombian cartels, rival each other for control over drug-trafficking routes and territory. This struggle extends to Ecuador’s detention facilities, where at least 400 inmates have lost their lives since 2021.
The late presidential candidate, Fernando Villavicencio, known for his uncompromising stance against organized crime and corruption, was assassinated in August this year. Despite having a security detail, including police and bodyguards, Villavicencio was targeted and killed following a political rally in Quito. He had previously accused Los Choneros and their incarcerated leader, Adolfo Macías, alias “Fito,” of issuing threats against him and his campaign team.
Ecuador’s Security Secretary, Wagner Bravo, has suggested that six prisoners relocated after Villavicencio’s assassination may have been involved in the crime. The mayor of Quito, Pabel Muñoz, has voiced the hope for a swift, honest, and forceful pursuit of justice. Amidst these turbulent times, the Ecuadorian National Police has reported a significant rise in violent deaths, with 3,568 cases occurring in the first six months of this year alone. This figure surpasses the 2,042 deaths reported during the same period in 2022. Urgent action is required to address this escalating security crisis.
While the port city of Guayaquil has remained a hotbed of violence, the city of Esmeraldas on the Pacific coast is also recognized as one of the country’s most perilous areas. Recent incidents, such as the burning of six government vehicles, serve as stark reminders of the challenges that Ecuador faces.
Market Capital Research 