Two injured in shooting at Ecuador's Guayaquil airport amid state of exception

A shooting incident at Guayaquil's international airport left at least two people wounded on Wednesday, escalating concerns over security in Ecuador's most populous city.

The attack took place around 6:00 PM local time near the international arrivals exit, causing immediate disruption and triggering the airport's security protocol. The airport was subsequently closed for a security review, with all individuals inside subject to checks.

Videos circulating on social media depicted the chaotic scene, showing two individuals on the ground amidst the panic of passengers and airport staff. The injured were attended to by the airport's medical team and transported by ambulance.

Authorities reported that at least two individuals were detained by security personnel in connection with the shooting. This incident occurs shortly after Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa declared a new 60-day state of exception across ten provinces and three municipalities, including Guayaquil, in an effort to combat the country's escalating crime and violence.

Guayaquil, along with other regions, is grappling with a surge in criminal activity, which the government has labeled as an "internal armed conflict." Despite these measures, Ecuador recorded a record high of 9,281 homicides in 2025, reflecting a homicide rate exceeding 50 per 100,000 inhabitants.