Twelve people were killed in a shooting at a cockfighting arena in northwestern Ecuador, authorities have confirmed. Four suspects have been arrested following the attack in La Valencia, a rural community in the province of Manabí.
Gunmen Storm Arena in Military Uniforms
According to the BBC, heavily armed attackers dressed in military-style uniforms stormed the ring during an event, firing indiscriminately at the crowd. Social media videos captured panicked spectators trying to flee or hide during the assault.
Police raids the following day uncovered weapons and military uniforms, which are believed to have been used in the attack.
Local media report that the shooters were likely members of a criminal gang targeting rivals present at the event.
Ecuador’s Escalating Gang Violence
Ecuador is currently plagued by violent gang rivalries, with over 20 criminal organizations battling for control over drug trafficking routes. President Daniel Noboa recently stated that 70% of the world’s cocaine now passes through Ecuadorian ports en route to the U.S. and Europe.
This latest massacre highlights the deepening security crisis in Ecuador, where narco-violence continues to spread beyond urban centers into rural communities.
