Gunmen in military uniforms storm a rural Ecuador property, killing at least 7, police say
Yahoo • • world
Key Points:
- Armed men disguised as soldiers attacked a rural property in Manabi, Ecuador, killing at least seven people, including three adult brothers, in a drug-related violent incident.
- Ecuador's homicide rate has increased fivefold since 2020, reaching 50 homicides per 100,000 residents last year, marking the highest rate in recent history.
- The surge in violence is linked to conflicts between Mexican and Colombian drug gangs and their local allies over control of trafficking routes and ports for cocaine shipments to the U.S.
- In response, President Daniel Noboa declared a state of emergency in seven provinces in January, allowing enhanced police and military powers to combat the violence.
- Noboa has accused Colombia of insufficiently controlling rebel and
