In brief
National Police confirm the murders of Ronald Farfan and Cristhian Rugel during a political rally in Huaquillas. The attack is under investigation, with authorities exploring potential links to criminal groups. El Oro province already reports nearly 1,000 homicides this year, signalling a sharp rise in violence as national elections approach.
Police in Huaquillas, Ecuador, confirmed the murder of former mayor Ronald Farfan and councilor candidate Cristhian Rugel on Monday night, Nov. 10, just weeks before the province’s local elections.
The killings occurred while both men and supporters gathered in the Los Israelitas neighborhood at a political rally, according to National Police reports cited by Xinhua.
Investigators are probing several possible motives, including threats and extortion by criminal groups, the police said, while local media noted the killings as part of a broader spike in violence across the El Oro province.
El Oro has recorded nearly 1,000 homicides in 2026 – about 50 percent more than in the same period last year, according to official figures cited by local outlets.
Ecuadorians will vote on Nov. 29 for provincial prefects, vice‑prefects, mayors, urban and rural councilors, and rural parish board members.
While the National Police confirmed the incidents, the exact motive remains unconfirmed as the investigation unfolds. Local reports hint at possible links to rival gangs, but no definitive explanation has yet been released.
