Dead bodies hanged along a bridge: in Ecuador, violence reaches record levels
Ecuadorian security forces control operation in Guayaquil, January 24, 2022. REUTERS - VICENTE GAIBOR DEL PINO
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Still exceptional a few years ago, assassinations by hitmen are now commonplace in Ecuador, the result of the clash between gangs and drug cartels to dominate new territories.
Since January 1, the authorities have already seized more than 25 tons of drugs, a record figure in the country.
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With our correspondent in Quito
,
Éric Samson
It's a sight that we are used to seeing in Mexico but not in Ecuador.
On Monday morning, the residents of Durán, a city plagued by drug trafficking, discovered two corpses hanging along a bridge.
An execution probably linked, according to the police, to the seizure on Sunday of seven tons of drugs in Guayaquil.
Enhanced security
A macabre way of marking its territory to which the Minister of the Interior Alexandra Vela has promised to respond severely.
“
We will increase the police presence in Guayaquil and put in place unprecedented operations and strategies
,” she said.
►Also listen: Ecuador: how did the situation degenerate in Guayaquil prison?
The mayor of Durán, Dalton Narvaez, promised him Tuesday, February 16 at a press conference to help the local police.
“
We are going to build a police station to control the heights of Durán.
We are going to install armored windows and reinforce the walls to avoid possible attacks on the police
,” he said.
Dozens of violent deaths since the start of the year
As seven murders were recorded Monday in Guayaquil, local police chief Victor Zábate tried to appease the population.
"
Since the beginning of the year, we have arrested 123 people, seized four firearms and dismantled four criminal organizations
," he said.
Figures that do not make us forget the 164 violent deaths recorded since January 1 in Guayaquil, unheard of in this region.
►
To read also: Ecuador: rescuers in search of the missing after torrential rains in Quito
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Ecuador
Crime
Drug