In a horrifying incident at a cockfighting ring in La Valencia, Ecuador, gunmen killed 12 people, leading to the arrest of four suspects. Authorities believe the attackers, dressed in imitation military uniforms, are linked to local criminal gangs.
Ecuador Cockfight Attack Claims 12 Lives, Four Arrests Made
Ecuador Cockfight Attack Claims 12 Lives, Four Arrests Made
A tragic shooting at a cockfighting event in Ecuador leaves 12 dead, prompting police action against organized crime.
In a shocking display of violence, twelve individuals lost their lives during a cockfighting event in Ecuador, provoking immediate police action. The incident took place in the rural community of La Valencia, situated in the northwestern Manabí province, where armed attackers stormed the venue, shooting indiscriminately at the terrified crowd. Four suspects have since been apprehended following extensive police raids, which reportedly uncovered weapons and imitation police and military uniforms.
Eyewitness accounts and social media footage revealed the chaos of the scene, with attendees scrambling for safety as gunfire erupted. Initial investigations suggest that the assailants were members of rival criminal gangs targeting each other amidst the backdrop of the cockfight. In response to the incident, provincial authorities have launched a criminal investigation to uncover more details.
Ecuador is currently grappling with the presence of around 20 criminal organizations fighting for dominance over drug trafficking routes, exacerbating violence in the country. President Daniel Noboa has emphasized the alarming trend of increasing cocaine flows through Ecuador, which serves as a significant transit point for drugs bound for the US and Europe, primarily sourced from Colombia and Peru, the world's leading cocaine producers.
The country has seen a surge in violence, with January of this year recording 781 murders—marking the deadliest month in recent memory—many attributed to disputes within the illicit drug trade. The recent tragedy at the cockfight has drawn attention to the escalating violence gripping Ecuador, previously celebrated for its tourist attractions.
Eyewitness accounts and social media footage revealed the chaos of the scene, with attendees scrambling for safety as gunfire erupted. Initial investigations suggest that the assailants were members of rival criminal gangs targeting each other amidst the backdrop of the cockfight. In response to the incident, provincial authorities have launched a criminal investigation to uncover more details.
Ecuador is currently grappling with the presence of around 20 criminal organizations fighting for dominance over drug trafficking routes, exacerbating violence in the country. President Daniel Noboa has emphasized the alarming trend of increasing cocaine flows through Ecuador, which serves as a significant transit point for drugs bound for the US and Europe, primarily sourced from Colombia and Peru, the world's leading cocaine producers.
The country has seen a surge in violence, with January of this year recording 781 murders—marking the deadliest month in recent memory—many attributed to disputes within the illicit drug trade. The recent tragedy at the cockfight has drawn attention to the escalating violence gripping Ecuador, previously celebrated for its tourist attractions.
