Nightclub Shooting in Ecuador Claims Eight Lives Amid Rising Gang Violence

A shooting at a nightclub in Santa Lucía, Ecuador, has left eight people dead and three others injured, raising concerns about escalating gang violence in the area.

Ecuadorian authorities reported the deadly shooting took place early Sunday morning at the Santa Lucía nightclub, where gunmen opened fire, resulting in the immediate deaths of seven individuals on site. A subsequent victim succumbed to injuries at a local hospital. The motives behind the attack are still under investigation.

Santa Lucía is situated within the Guayas province, which is currently experiencing a state of emergency due to rampant gang activity. Among the deceased was the nightclub's owner, who was related to the town's mayor, Ubaldo Urquizo. The local government expressed its condolences to the mayor's family, offering solidarity during this tragic time.

This incident adds to a growing list of violent events in Guayas, with previous shootings claiming nine lives at a pool hall last July 19 and another seventeen fatalities at a bar on July 27. Despite President Daniel Noboa’s declaration of war against gang violence in January 2024 and an increased military presence in the region, the bloodshed continues unabated.

Ecuador’s struggles with organized crime are underscored by stark statistics, illustrating a grim reality where over 4,051 homicides were recorded between January and May 2025 alone. The country's strategic location makes it a major transit point for approximately 70 percent of the world's cocaine, further entrenching the influence of drug trafficking gangs.