• Gunmen killed at least 17 people in an attack on a bar in El Empalme, Ecuador.
• The attack is part of a broader surge in violent crime driven by drug trafficking groups.
• Authorities recovered over 40 pieces of ballistic evidence from the scene.
• Ecuador's President Noboa declared an "internal armed conflict" amid escalating violence.
• Despite a reported decline in violence last year, crime surged by 47% in the first half of 2025.

Gunmen have killed at least 17 people and injured up to 14 in a shooting at a bar in El Empalme, Ecuador, an incident that underscores the country's struggle with escalating violent crime, particularly related to drug trafficking. The victims included a child, with police reports indicating the attackers used pistols and rifles during the assault, which occurred in the coastal province of Guayas, about 160 kilometers north of Guayaquil, a region plagued by organized crime, according to trtglobal, Al Jazeera, and Reuters.

Images from the scene depicted bodies amid pools of blood, and authorities reported that more than 40 pieces of ballistic evidence were collected for investigation. The local police chief indicated that during the attack, the assailants reportedly shouted "Active Wolves," a potential reference to a criminal gang known as Los Lobos, known for competing with another group, Los Choneros, for control over drug trafficking routes and associated criminal enterprises, as noted by Al Jazeera and Reuters.

Despite previous claims from President Daniel Noboa about a decline in violent deaths last year, a stark 47% increase in violence was reported in the first half of 2025, with the number of violent deaths hitting 4,619. This alarming trend has led to significant legislative responses, including reforms approved by the national assembly aimed at granting the government enhanced powers to combat armed groups and dismantle drug-trafficking operations, according to trtglobal and Reuters.