Nearly 20 people have been killed in the internal conflict between gang factions fighting to control the territory of Guayaquil, Ecuador's largest city, authorities said Friday.
A gun battle broke out across the northern area of Nueva Prosperona on Thursday afternoon, among members of the crime group Los Tigron.
“Yesterday, the criminals killed each other in these specific parts of town,” Davila said. “The problem is the battle over how they know each other, where they live, and who has power over that territory.”
Ecuador's presidential election will be leaked among conservative incumbents, left-wing lawyers.
Police responded, launched an attack, conducted around 200 searches and seized guns and ammunition. Fourteen people have been arrested in the area, including two minors.
Authorities say some of the people killed and arrested have criminal records and have been charged with robbery to drug trafficking.
Ecuadorian National Police presents individuals detained during police operations following a gang clash that caused multiple casualties in Guayaquil, Ecuador in this handout, distributed on March 7, 2025. (Distributed materials via Ecuador's Ministry of Interior/Reuters)
In recent weeks, the government has doubled the response in Ecuador's most violent regions as part of President Daniel Novore's war with drug trafficking gangs.
Ross Tigron and the other gangs are considered terrorist groups by the government.
Novoa, who is seeking re-election in the April spill vote, said the military and police officers will be allowed to respond to Guayaquil's violence without fear of acting with heavy hands.
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“I will protect the country, I will protect you,” he wrote to X.
