Ecuador: Twelve Killed in Gang-Related Cockfight Shooting

In a tragic incident, four gunmen have left 12 dead in a cockfight attack, underscoring the surge of gang violence in Ecuador amid rising drug trafficking issues.

Police in Ecuador have confirmed the arrests of four individuals in connection to a gruesome shooting at a cockfighting event, resulting in the deaths of 12 people. The attack occurred in La Valencia, a rural area within the north-western Manabí province, on Friday, and police reports indicate that weapons, along with replica military and police uniforms, were confiscated during subsequent raids.

Social media footage captured the chaotic scene as gunmen stormed the cockfight, causing spectators to flee in panic. Local media speculation suggests that the attackers donning phony military attire were affiliated with one of several criminal gangs competing in the area, targeting rivals present at the event.

Provincial authorities have initiated a criminal investigation as the country grapples with the presence of an estimated 20 gangs, all vying for control of lucrative drug trafficking routes. President Daniel Noboa has highlighted Ecuador's pivotal position in the global cocaine trade, noting that approximately 70% of the cocaine is routed through the nation's ports before reaching markets in the United States and Europe.

Ecuador's drug-related violence has escalated dramatically, with 781 reported murders in January alone, marking it the deadliest month in recent history and indicative of an ongoing crisis tied to the lucrative drug trade.