A deadly assault was recorded on April 17, 2025, at a cockfighting pit in La Valencia, Manabí province in Ecuador. Fake military camouflage uniform-clad gunmen stormed the place and indiscriminately started firing at the attendees.
The outrageous act cost 12 people their lives, while a number of others were injured. Witnesses recorded the terrifying scenes on camera, as guests scrambled for cover as the assailants sprayed the crowd with automatic gunfire. The brutality of the attack left the countryside in a state of shock and grief.
Arrests, Evidence Recovered in Ecuador Gunmen Case
Following the attack, Ecuadorian officials initiated a comprehensive investigation. Ecuadorian authorities detained four people who were believed to be linked to the attack. Further arrests would follow as the investigation unfolds. Officers picked up a stash of weapons and military equipment during raids on the suspects’ homes, including rifles, pistols, shotguns, ballistic helmets, and tactical gloves.
Authorities assume that the assailants were members of a dangerous gang, “Los R7,” specialized in violent gang-related activity. One of the detainees is viewed as a key player in the organization.
Gang Violence and Drug Trafficking in Ecuador
Authorities believe warring criminal groups fighting for control of lucrative drug routes carried out the assault.
Ecuador has emerged as a hotbed for the international drug trade, with President Daniel Noboa disclosing that approximately 70% of the world’s cocaine flows through the country’s ports en route to the U.S. and Europe.
This has bred violent gang battles, with a sharp rise in murders. There were 781 murders alone in January 2025, most of which had ties to the illicit drug trade.
Government Response
In answer to increasing violence, the government of Ecuador issued a state of emergency on April 12, 2025. The state of emergency spans several provinces, among them Manabí, and applies to all prisons across the country. The government is hoping that this will be able to stem criminal activity and restore peace.
Nevertheless, the attack on La Valencia points out the difficulties that Ecuador has in addressing organized crime and making its citizens safe. It is a sad reminder of the rising insecurity in the nation amidst the growing strength of criminal gangs.
