Ecuador's Turmoil: Gangs Clash in Power Vacuum

A violent escalation in Ecuador's Nueva Prosperina haunts the streets as police link deadly clashes to gang fractures. The bloodshed, they say, stems from the chaotic power shifts within dangerous criminal outfits as the government aggressively targets notorious leaders.

The capture of William Alcivar Bautista, a top Los Tiguerones gang figure, sparked a power struggle. His apprehension in Spain has intensified lethal interactions among rival factions vying for supremacy. President Daniel Noboa's tough stance on organized crime has spurred military interventions, yet violence continues to surge.

The repercussions echo past Mexican and Colombian crackdowns, where criminal diversification followed gang fragmentation. Ecuador's illicit economy thrives, generating $30 billion annually, as gang conflicts proliferate in Duran and other strategic regions. The situation remains alarming, with Ecuador maintaining its role as a drug transit point.