Elite Iwia soldiers reinforce security in Ecuador's Guayas province

Elite Iwia soldiers have arrived in Guayaquil to bolster security operations amid a state of exception in Ecuador's Guayas province. The 145 soldiers landed at the Simón Bolívar Air Base on June 19, 2026, joining the offensive against organized crime.

Transported by the Ecuadorian Air Force, their arrival marks a significant military reinforcement in Guayaquil, particularly in provinces grappling with high homicide rates. The Iwias, indigenous warriors from Pastaza known for their rigorous tactical training and ability to operate in extreme conditions, are a strategic addition to the coastal region.

Their deployment follows the declaration of an internal armed conflict and Executive Decree 423. Lieutenant Colonel Álex Quevedo stated the commandos will conduct patrols and enhance the operational capacity of the Armed Forces in intelligence-identified priority zones. They join 5,000 military personnel already assigned to Guayas province to intensify controls on weapons, ammunition, and explosives.

This mobilization is part of a broader national security plan that includes a permanent presence of 13,000 troops in four strategic provinces: Guayas (5,000), Los Ríos (3,000), Manabí (3,000), and El Oro (2,000). Quevedo emphasized that operations will be sustained, with troops remaining in critical areas like Guayaquil and Durán until further orders. The objective is to neutralize violence and restore public safety in the most conflict-ridden regions.

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these commandos will not only carry out military patrols in Guayaquil but will also enhance the operational capacity of the Ecuadorian Armed Forces in the points identified as priorities by intelligence services.