Prosecutor Killed in Attack in Ecuador's West

Violence continues to plague Ecuador as a prosecutor was killed in an attack in the western port city of Manta on Sunday. The general prosecutor's office announced the assassination, which occurred in a region known as a stronghold for several drug trafficking groups.

The "criminal attack" in Manta targeted Gloria Bravo, who worked in a nearby prosecutor's office. Local media reported that Bravo's sister, who was with her at the time, also died in the incident. Bravo had served as a prosecutor for 15 years, investigating numerous organized crime cases in the area. She was recently assigned to investigate a fire that destroyed approximately 35 boats at a fishing port in Manta, the circumstances of which remain undetermined.

The state prosecutor's office "energetically rejects and condemns the criminal attack" against Bravo, who tragically lost her life. This crime brings the total number of murdered public prosecutors in Manta to three. Manta is a key base for the criminal group Los Choneros, whose leader, known as 'Fito,' was arrested and extradited to the United States last year on drug and arms trafficking charges.

Manta is one of the cities most affected by drug trafficking in Ecuador. The country serves as a transit point for 70% of the cocaine from neighboring Colombia and Peru, the world's largest producers of the drug. Despite support from the United States and repressive policies against drug trafficking by the government of President Daniel Noboa, violence remains rampant. Ecuador recorded a homicide rate of 50.9 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2025, making it one of the most dangerous countries in Latin America.

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The State Prosecutor's Office energetically rejects and condemns the criminal attack perpetrated today against the magistrate (...) who unfortunately lost her life.