Mass shooting in Ecuador leaves 12 dead, 9 injured Deadliest attack in Manabí history linked to organized crime

In one of the deadliest acts of violence to strike the province of Manabí in recent memory, at least twelve people were killed and nine others wounded during a brutal mass shooting at a cockfighting arena late April 18 night.

The massacre occurred around 11:30 PM in Valencia, a rural locality within the El Carmen canton, where locals had gathered to witness a traditional rooster fight, Caliber.Az reports citing foreign media.

According to eyewitnesses and initial police reports, a group of heavily armed assailants—disguised in military-style uniforms and masks—arrived at the scene in three vehicles. Without warning, they opened fire indiscriminately on the crowd, unleashing chaos and terror before seizing approximately $20,000 in prize money and fleeing the area.

Emergency responders swiftly transported the victims to nearby medical facilities in Santo Domingo, where most of the fatalities were confirmed. The injured remain under treatment, some in critical condition.

Law enforcement agencies have launched a full-scale investigation, with crime scene units combing through the arena for evidence in a bid to identify the attackers. Police believe the atrocity bears the hallmarks of a targeted assault orchestrated by organised crime groups, a growing concern in Ecuador’s ongoing struggle with gang-related violence.

In response, authorities have announced a reward for information leading to the capture of those responsible. "We are deploying all available resources to bring the perpetrators to justice," a spokesperson for the national police stated. "This is a tragedy that will not go unanswered."

The massacre marks the most lethal attack ever recorded in Manabí province, exacerbating the sense of insecurity that has gripped the region in recent months. On April 12, the government declared a 60-day state of emergency in response to a spike in gang violence across the province—a measure that, despite increased military and police presence, has yet to quell the bloodshed.

The broader context reveals a nation in turmoil. In January 2024, Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa declared the country to be in a state of internal armed conflict following a series of high-profile prison riots, assassinations, and bombings. The administration has since designated 22 criminal gangs as terrorist organisations, intensifying counterinsurgency efforts nationwide.

As the investigation continues, residents of Manabí and surrounding regions remain on edge, bracing for further unrest in a country where violence, once largely confined to coastal drug trafficking routes, now threatens the daily lives of ordinary citizens.

By Vafa Guliyeva