Gunmen attacked a cockfighting event in Ecuador, leaving 12 people dead. The incident occurred in the small rural community of La Valencia, located in the northwestern Manabí province. This tragic event unfolded on a Friday, with police confirming that four suspects have been arrested in connection with the shooting.
Witnesses shared shocking footage on social media, showing armed men entering the venue and opening fire, causing panic among the spectators who scrambled for safety. Reports suggest that the attackers were dressed in fake military uniforms and are believed to be part of a criminal gang targeting rival members who were present at the cockfight.
In the aftermath of the attack, police conducted raids in the area, seizing weapons and replica police and military uniforms. The provincial authorities have launched a criminal investigation to uncover more details about the attack and the gangs involved.
Ecuador has been struggling with increasing violence, largely attributed to drug trafficking. The country is a key transit point for cocaine, with around 70% of the world’s cocaine reportedly passing through its ports before heading to markets in the United States and Europe. The narcotics are smuggled in from Colombia and Peru, the two largest cocaine producers globally.
The violence in Ecuador has escalated in recent months. January alone saw a staggering 781 murders, marking it as one of the deadliest months in recent history. Many of these killings are linked to the ongoing battle between criminal gangs for control of drug routes.
As the investigation continues, the community and the nation grapple with the impact of this horrific event, reflecting a broader crisis of security and violence tied to the drug trade.