Four killed in Ecuador's Los Ríos province amid suspected gang clash

A wave of violence has struck the southern province of Los Ríos in Ecuador, leaving four people dead in separate incidents early Saturday morning. Among the victims is a minor. The National Police are investigating the killings, which they suspect are linked to a dispute between two prominent criminal organizations: Los Lobos and Los Choneros.

Authorities believe the attacks may have been a retaliatory act. Preliminary investigations suggest the violence stemmed from the theft of a motorcycle belonging to a suspected member of Los Choneros. The four victims are believed to have been involved in this theft, leading to the suspected reprisal.

Colonel Jorge Borja of the police detailed how the aggressors operated. They reportedly first approached a home and intimidated a minor to gain information about one of their targets. Armed with this intelligence, they proceeded to another residence, where they murdered a man in front of a family member. The attackers then moved to a third home, killing two more individuals, including a child, before striking a fourth property to claim another victim.

One of the deceased had a prior criminal record, according to police information. The incidents occurred in an area of Los Ríos province that borders Guayas, a region also known for criminal activity. Police are continuing their investigation to fully understand the circumstances of each murder and identify those responsible.

“

the aggressors arrived initially to a dwelling and, through intimidation, obtained from a minor information about the whereabouts of one of the persons they were looking for.