Ecuador’s QuitoEight people have been killed and three injured in a late-night attack at a rural nightclub in Ecuador’s Guayas province, making it one of the bloodiest mass shootings in the nation this year and highlighting the continuous surge of gang-related violence engulfing the country’s coastal regions.
Attack in Santa Luc a
According to authorities, the shooting happened late Sunday in Santa Luca, a small town in the coastal province of Guayas. Because of the high concentration of organized crime in this area, it is widely regarded as one of Ecuador’s most dangerous.
Seven of the fatalities, who were all between the ages of 20 and 40, perished at the scene inside the nightclub, according to a statement from Ecuadorian police. Later, at a nearby hospital, an eighth victim passed away from their wounds. The three injured victims are still in serious condition and are undergoing treatment.
According to witnesses, the heavily armed and mask-wearing militants arrived in two cars and on motorcycles. They started shooting randomly at customers and employees before rushing away. The gunmen, according to investigators, were involved in a planned attack connected to local gang rivalry.
The shooters are still at large, according to police officials who spoke to Associated Press.
Violence Follows Earlier Maritime Attack
The shooting occurred 48 hours after another violent incident in Ecuador’s El Oro province, where a boat along the southwest coast was attacked by terrorists carrying explosives. That attack claimed the lives of four people and left countless others unaccounted for.
Both assaults, according to authorities, are part of a series of high-profile attacks that have occurred in Ecuador’s coastal provinces in recent months. Although authorities have not verified a direct connection, the close timing and use of heavily armed squads have sparked worries that the incidents might be related.
Ongoing State of Emergency
Due to rising drug-related violence, Ecuador has declared a state of emergency in a number of its coastal provinces, including Guayas, El Oro, Manab, and Los R. Although the government has sent national police and military units to these areas, attacks still happen in spite of the increased security.
The Ecuador-Pacific corridor is a vital drug smuggling route to Central America, the United States, and Europe, and security specialists believe gangs and cartels have increased their operations there. Targeted assassinations by rival groups have become more common in public areas such as nightclubs, marketplaces, and transit hubs, frequently placing people in danger.
Cartel and Gang Involvement Suspected
Although authorities have not publicly identified the organization responsible for Sunday’s shooting, analysts surmise that it might be associated with one of the nation’s most influential gangs that are associated with drug cartels from Mexico or Colombia.
According to a security source acquainted with the inquiry, organized crime is implicated in this attempt due to its size and blatantness. Similar activities have been observed in Santa Luca previously, and they are frequently a message between opposing parties.
The attack took place in the province of Guayas, which has long been a hub for drug trafficking, with ports, rural river routes, and fishing villages regularly exploited for drug shipments.
Rising Death Toll
In recent years, Ecuador’s national murder rate has sharply increased. According to official records, over 4,600 people have died so far in 2025—a startling number for a nation of only 18 million.
Ecuador saw about 7,000 homicides in 2024, a minor decrease from the record-breaking 8,000+ homicides in 2023. The country may break historical records in 2025 if current trends continue, the UN has warned.
Additionally, violence has become more symbolic and visible. Before being taken into custody, a group of armed men in Guayaquil held journalists hostage during a live television broadcast in January.
Community Impact and Fear
People who live in Santa Lucia claim to be living in constant fear. Social gatherings have drastically decreased, and many establishments now close sooner. Some families have relocated to other provinces in search of safety, and local parents report keeping their kids inside at night.
One local store owner, who wished to remain anonymous for security reasons, compared it to living in a combat zone. It is impossible to predict when the next shooting will occur.
The government is being urged by local authorities to establish permanent military roadblocks and strengthen patrols in Santa Lucia and the neighboring towns.
Government Response
Daniel Noboa, the president of Ecuador, has declared combating organized crime a primary objective of his government. Since becoming office, Noboa has advocated for stronger port controls, more military presence in high-crime regions, and more authority for law enforcement.
Critics counter that these actions haven’t significantly reduced the violence yet. Concerns about the possibility of abuses by security forces acting under emergency powers have also been voiced by human rights organizations.
Anyone with information regarding the suspects in Sunday’s nightclub shooting is being urged by police to get in touch with them right away.
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