Ecuador’s Struggle Against Drug Cartels Intensifies

On June 3, 2026, Ecuadoran authorities reported the discovery of eight bodies wrapped in plastic bags near Babahoyo, a known hotspot for narco-trafficking. This grisly find followed the disappearance of eight individuals the previous Sunday, who had been traveling from Daule to Milagro, approximately 30 miles south of the discovery site.

Police chief Col. Galo Munoz confirmed the identification of the bodies. This development is part of a broader military campaign, backed by the United States, to combat organized crime gangs that have significantly increased the violence in Ecuador, a country once considered one of the safest in South America.

The missing individuals, related to one another in some cases, were believed to have been targeted by the Los Lobos gang. Interior Minister John Reimberg disclosed that a note found with the bodies implicated Los Lobos in the attack, suggesting an ongoing feud with the rival gang, Los Choneros. Both organizations are deeply entrenched in drug trafficking and extortion, with Los Lobos having been labeled a terrorist organization by the United States in September.

Legal authorities in Milagro, including state prosecutor Modesto Freire, noted that two minors were among the victims. These children were identified by family members as farmers from Daule, a region renowned for its rice production.

Ecuador is a crucial transit point for 70% of cocaine produced in neighboring Colombia and Peru. The fierce battle for dominance over the drug trade has sharply escalated violence, especially in port cities like Guayaquil and Manta. Drugs are frequently smuggled through these locations.

This incident is not isolated. Earlier this year, in January, the bodies of six young people were found in Santa Elena province, near Guayas province, close to Guayaquil. The overall violent death toll in Ecuador reached over 9,200 last year, marking a record high.

President Daniel Noboa, known for his strong alliance with former U.S. President Donald Trump, has taken aggressive measures, such as imposing curfews and deploying military forces in multiple provinces to curb gang activities. Recently, American commandos participated in joint missions with Ecuadorian troops to dismantle criminal networks along the coast.

In March, the United States and Ecuador initiated joint military operations against terrorist-designated organizations. Nevertheless, gang violence persists, exacerbated after the 2025 recapture of Adolfo Macías, leader of Los Choneros, who was extradited to the U.S. on drug trafficking and firearms charges.