Ecuador’s Murder Rate Surges as Gangs and Cartels Clashes

Political Violence Rocks the Country Ahead of Presidential Elections

Foto: Twitter Paola Cabezas Castillo. Pedro Briones (center) was assassinated by drive-by gunmen at his home in the northern province of Esmeraldas.

The murder of Pedro Briones, a leader of the left-wing Citizen Revolution Party in Esmeraldas, has sent shockwaves through the country. The killing comes just five days after presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio was gunned down in the capital, Quito.

Briones was shot dead by gunmen on a motorcycle at his home in northern Esmeraldas province, a notoriously lawless area. The killing is believed to be linked to local gangs and international crime cartels, which have been forging alliances in recent months.

Ecuador’s murder rate has surged in the past year, with hundreds of people killed in what authorities describe as a brutal wave of violence. Political violence has also increased ahead of snap presidential elections, which are scheduled to take place on August 20.

Mr. Briones was a prominent figure in the Citizen Revolution Party in Esmeraldas and had been involved in political activism for many years. Fellow members of the party have expressed their condolences to his family and have pledged to continue his work in the fight against corruption.

The party’s presidential candidate, Luisa González, said that Ecuador is going through “its bloodiest period” and vowed to take action to tackle the root causes of violence.

Former president Rafael Correa, who founded the Citizen Revolution Party, also weighed in on the issue, writing on social media: “They murdered another of our colleagues in Esmeraldas. Enough is enough!”

Police have not yet officially commented on the murder, but local media reported that the two gunmen had fled on a motorbike after shooting dead Mr. Briones in San Mateo, south of the city of Esmeraldas.

The motive behind the killing is not yet clear, but it is believed to be linked to the ongoing struggles between rival gangs and cartel members in the region.

Esmeraldas province, which borders Colombia, has been one of the worst-hit areas by the wave of violence. Its porous border with Colombia and its location on the Pacific coast make it an attractive route for drug smugglers who traffic cocaine from Colombia through Ecuador to the US and Europe.

The violence has not been contained to Esmeraldas. Last month, the mayor of the port city of Manta in Manabí province was shot dead as he was inspecting a public works project. A few weeks earlier, a mayoral candidate in the beach resort city of Salinas was also shot to death.

The highest-profile victim so far has been Fernando Villavicencio, an outspoken journalist who had uncovered corruption scandals and denounced links between organized crime and government officials.

Six men have been arrested in connection with his assassination, all of them Colombian citizens. FBI agents have also arrived in the country from the US to help investigate the murder.

Conclusions:

* The killing of Pedro Briones has sent shockwaves through the country and highlights the dangers faced by political activists and journalists in Ecuador.
* The surge in violence has been linked to the rivalry between local gangs and cartel members, as well as the country’s porous border with Colombia.
* Political violence has also increased ahead of snap presidential elections, which are scheduled to take place on August 20.

FAQs:

1. Who was Pedro Briones?
Pedro Briones was a leader of the left-wing Citizen Revolution Party in Esmeraldas.
2. When was he killed?
Pedro Briones was assassinated on [date].
3. What is believed to be the motive behind the killing?
The motive behind the killing is believed to be linked to local gangs and international crime cartels.
4. Who has been arrested in connection with Fernando Villavicencio’s assassination?
Six men have been arrested, all of them Colombian citizens.
5. What has been the response from authorities?
Police have not yet officially commented on the murder, but local media has reported that the two gunmen had fled on a motorbike after shooting dead Mr. Briones.