Ecuador Stunned by Holy Week Holiday Massacres

From Thursday to Sunday, the residents of the provinces of Manabi and Guayas witnessed unprecedented events during Holy Week.

Commencing on Thursday afternoon, a group of six adults and five children arrived at Puerto Lopez beach to partake in the Easter holiday festivities. Unfortunately, the following day, approximately 20 heavily armed individuals abducted them from their hotel.

Subsequently, the children and one adult were released on a highway several hours later. Tragically, the remaining five adults who were kidnapped were mercilessly murdered, and their lifeless bodies were callously discarded in close proximity to the hotel.

According to a report by France 24, none of the individuals involved had prior criminal records. It was speculated that the kidnappers mistakenly identified them as members of a rival gang.

In another distressing incident, in Manta City, Manabi, a group of individuals were targeted by assailants outside a residence, resulting in the fatalities of four civilians, including an active-duty military member.

A day later, a harrowing attack unfolded in Guayaquil, where multiple lives were claimed during a violent assault by gunmen at a party in the Fortín block 2, culminating in a tragic massacre.

Moreover, on Saturday, assailants in a car and on a motorcycle launched an attack on a group of individuals attending a volleyball match in the province of Guayas, leading to the deaths of eight individuals and leaving a dozen others wounded.

The following night, in the Fortin sector of Guayaquil City, a group of individuals on motorcycles opened fire on citizens congregated in the street, resulting in three fatalities and three injuries.

Earlier in January, President Daniel Noboa declared a “State of Exception,” asserting that Ecuador was embroiled in an “Internal Armed Conflict” against criminal factions associated with drug trafficking, which were classified as “terrorist groups.” Despite these stringent measures, their efficacy has been called into question.

France 24 highlighted the skepticism surrounding the security measures implemented by the Noboa administration, particularly in light of three massacres occurring within two days amidst the state of emergency. Despite the enforcement of militarization and curfews, instances of kidnapping have surged significantly in certain urban centers.

As the state of emergency is slated to conclude on April 8, concerns loom over the potential escalation of violence. Concurrently, Ecuador is gearing up for a crucial referendum on April 21, focusing on pivotal security aspects such as the reinforcement of the Armed Forces in collaboration with the Police to combat organized crime.

In a succinct update, teleSUR English reported 13 recent violent incidents in Guayaquil amid the government’s state of emergency under President Daniel Noboa’s administration.