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2024 Ecuador conflict | |||||||
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Part of the Ecuadorian security crisis and the War on Drugs in Ecuador | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
![]() | Organized crime groups, notably Los Choneros | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
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Units involved | |||||||
Armed civilians | Organisations involved [1]
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Casualties and losses | |||||||
2 police officers killed [2] 4 police officers kidnapped [3] | 5 killed 392 suspects detained [4] [2] | ||||||
8 civilians killed [2] |
On 9 January 2024, an armed conflict broke out in Ecuador involving the country's government against several organized crime groups, most notably Los Choneros.
Reports of armed attacks throughout Guayaquil were widespread, occurring primarily in prisons, markets, roads, and universities. [5] [6] The large-scale attacks were a combination of responses to the escape of Los Choneros leader José Adolfo Macías Villamar in Guayaquil, [7] and President Daniel Noboa declaring a state of emergency and then an internal state of war. [6]
Since 2018, Ecuador has faced a historic wave of violence as the country has become a critical cocaine transit point, and organized crime groups compete for control of drug routes and prisons. Hundreds of prison inmates have been killed in prison fights. [8]
In 2019 massive riots broke out in response to austerity measures. [9] On 10 October, the capital city of Quito was overrun by the protesters forcing president Lenin Moreno to relocate the government to Guayaquil. [10] Returning the fuel subsidies ended these clashes. [11]
On 7 January 2024, Los Choneros leader José Adolfo Macías Villamar escaped from prison in Guayaquil on the day of his scheduled transfer to a maximum-security prison. The events were reported the next day by authorities, with charges being filed against two corrections officers. [7] [12] On 9 January, Fabricio Colon Pico, the leader of another criminal group, Los Lobos, also escaped from prison in Riobamba four days after he had been arrested for plotting to kill Attorney-General Diana Salazar Méndez. [13] [14]
Following the escape, President Daniel Noboa declared a state of emergency to last for 60 days, [6] granting authorities the power to suspend people's rights and allowing the military to be mobilized inside prisons. Riots ensued in multiple prisons across Ecuador. [15] A series of attacks took place, including attacks with explosives on businesses and private vehicles and an explosion near the house of the president of the National Court of Justice . [16] On the night of 8 January, four police officers were kidnapped in Quito and Quevedo. [7]
According to The Washington Post , intelligence analysts said that the attacks may have been triggered at least in part by a recent investigation into links between drug traffickers, criminal gangs, and political operators. The operation, known as Metastasis, led to the arrests of at least 20 top security officials and judges in December 2023 for alleged criminal activity benefiting a drug trafficker. [8]
On 9 January 2024, armed groups in Ecuador issued threats of "war", prompting the country's president to declare a state of armed internal conflict and authorize military operations against these groups. [17] [18] On the same day, Los Choneros gunmen [5] forcibly entered a TC Televisión studio in Guayaquil, where they took journalists hostage during a live newscast. [19] Later in the day, the Ecuadorian police raided the TV studio, released the journalists, and arrested the gang members. [5] One journalist was injured after being shot in the leg while another station employee suffered a broken arm. [20] Some of the attackers were reported to be minors. [21]
In Quito at 15:00, officials of the Palacio de Carondelet in the historic center and other state institutions were evacuated for safety. Many businesses closed their commercial activities for the day. An explosive device was later found and deactivated in the vicinity of the Obelisco de la Vicentina. It was also reported that the vehicle restriction system called pico y placa was suspended until further notice. [22]
Several hospitals in Guayaquil were targets of violent acts, including Teodoro Maldonado , Luis Vernaza , Guayaquil , El Niño and Los Ceibos . [23] The assaults on the hospitals ranged from robberies of medical personnel to shooting at medical facilities. During an attack near Ceibos Hospital, the singer Diego Gallardo (also known as "Aire del Golfo") and a high school student were shot and wounded. Both were treated at the same hospital, where Gallardo died from his injuries. [24]
Concurrently, another group took police officers hostage, coercing them to read a message characterizing the events as a reaction to Noboa's declared state of emergency. [19] Additionally, a kidnapping incident unfolded at the University of Guayaquil campus, where students barricaded themselves inside classrooms. [5]
Several attacks on civilians were reported. At the Centro Comercial Albán Borja in Guayaquil, two civilians were shot and killed. [25] Two police officers were killed in an attack in Nobol. [26] Videos began circulating online showing prison guards being executed, while others requested a dialogue with Noboa, threatening to continue killing more guards. [27] One gang announcement threatened to kill anyone out in the streets after 11 pm. [12] Two vehicles and a gas station were set on fire in Esmeraldas. [14] Explosions were also reported across the country, particularly in Guayaquil, Cuenca, Machala, and Loja, as well as in Esmeraldas and Los Rios Provinces. [28]
Banks, markets, and shops were closed throughout the country in cities such as Quito and Guayaquil to protect merchants and customers from armed attacks. [29] [30]
President Daniel Noboa declared in a decree that the country was experiencing an "internal armed conflict" and ordered the military to carry out operations to neutralize armed groups. [31] The head of the Armed Forces of Ecuador, Jaime Vela Erazo said in response to the decree that there will be "no negotiations" with armed groups. [32] Noboa identified these organized crime groups as "terrorist organizations and belligerent non-state actors." [31] The National Assembly subsequently approved the measures unanimously. [33]
That same day the Ministry of Education suspended in-person classes and mandated virtual learning until 12 January. [34]
Noboa announced that transportation in Quito would cease operations, except for the Quito Metro, which would run under limited stops and hours. [35] He also stated that the Mariscal Sucre International Airport in Quito would remain open but with increased security. [36] Noboa also said that foreign inmates were to be deported to reduce the prison population. [37]
Ecuador, officially the Republic of Ecuador, is a country in northwestern South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and the Pacific Ocean on the west. Ecuador also includes the Galápagos Islands in the Pacific, about 1,000 kilometers (621 mi) west of the mainland. The country's capital is Quito, but its largest city is Guayaquil.
The History of Ecuador covers human habitation in the region reaching back 8,000 years.
Barcelona Sporting Club is an Ecuadorian sports club based in Guayaquil, known best for its professional football team. Internationally known as Barcelona de Guayaquil, in Ecuador it is simply referred as Barcelona, El Idolo (BSC) or Los Canarios. They currently play in the Ecuadorian Serie A, the highest level of football in the country, and hold the distinction of being the only club in the Ecuadorian top flight to not have played in the Serie B.
Álvaro Fernando Noboa Pontón is an Ecuadorian businessman and politician. He is the father of the incumbent president, Daniel Noboa.
The history of the Republic of Ecuador from 1830 to 1860 begins with the collapse of the nation of Gran Colombia in 1830, followed by the assassination of Antonio José de Sucre and the death of Simón Bolívar from tuberculosis the same year. Heartbroken at the dissolution of Gran Colombia, Bolívar is quoted to have said shortly before his death, "America is ungovernable. Those who have served the revolution have plowed the sea." These words would seem prophetic during the chaotic first thirty years in the existence of Ecuador.
Ecuador is a country in South America.
Guillermo Alberto Santiago Lasso Mendoza is an Ecuadorian businessman, banker and politician who served as the 47th president of Ecuador from 2021 to 2023. He was the country's first conservative president in nearly two decades, marking a shift in the country's electorate.
Terrorism in Ecuador is a rare occurrence as the country, despite recurrent periods of economic and political instability, has
Annabella Emma Azín Arce is an Ecuadorian politician, doctor of medicine, and wife of Álvaro Noboa. She has four children, including President of Ecuador Daniel Noboa.
Isabel Noboa Pontón de Loor is an Ecuadorian businessperson, the founder and chief executive officer of the Nobis Consortium, one of the largest business groups in Ecuador. She is considered one of the most prominent women entrepreneurs in Latin America, and is known for philanthropic initiatives.
Omar Quintana Baquerizo was an Ecuadorian politician, sports executive, businessman, and member of the Ecuadorian Roldosist Party (PRE) and Institutional Renewal Party of National Action (PRIAN) political parties. Quintana served in the former National Congress of Ecuador from 2003 to 2005, including a tenure as the President of the National Congress from January 5, 2005, until April 20, 2005.
Events in the year 2021 in Ecuador.
The September 2021 Guayaquil prison riot occurred at the Litoral Penitentiary in Guayaquil, Ecuador on 28 September 2021. At least 123 inmates were killed and several others were injured in the riot that took place in that prison. It was the deadliest prison fight in the country's history and one of the deadliest in Latin American history.
Los Choneros is an organized crime syndicate and drug cartel based in the city of Guayaquil, Ecuador, with a notable presence along much of the country's coastline. The gang is known for its involvement in organized crime, including drug trafficking, extortion, and robbery. Many of its members have been on the Ecuadorian most wanted list and its original leaders have been imprisoned or killed. Their main business is moving cocaine to the United States.
Events in the year 2023 in Ecuador.
Daniel Roy Gilchrist Noboa Azín is an Ecuadorian politician and businessman currently serving as the 48th president of Ecuador since 23 November 2023. Taking office aged 35, he is the second youngest president in the country's history, after Juan José Flores, and the youngest to be elected.
Events in the year 2024 in Ecuador.
Rear Admiral Jaime Vela Erazo is an Ecuadorian military leader. He is the commander of the Armed Forces of Ecuador.
Los Chone Killers, or Chone Killers, are an Ecuadorian criminal and terrorist organization known for their drug trafficking activities, assassinations, and other crimes. The group split from Los Choneros in 2020, along with Los Lobos and Los Tiguerones following the murder of Los Choneros leader Jorge Luis Zambrano. The group mainly operates in Guayas Province, in particular the city of Durán.
Los Tiguerones are an Ecuadorian crime syndicate that specializes in drug trafficking activities, assassinations, and other crimes. The group split from Los Choneros in 2020, along with Los Lobos and Los Chone Killers following the murder of Los Choneros leader Jorge Luis Zambrano. The group is based in Esmeraldas.