Ecuadorean security forces arrested 68 gang members who stormed a hospital in Yaguachi, Guayas province. The intruders aimed to protect a gang member receiving treatment, fearing attacks from rivals. The patient, arriving with gunshot wounds, later died. After securing the hospital, authorities raided a nearby rehabilitation center used as a command center for illegal operations and a brothel. This incident occurred during a state of emergency declared by President Daniel Noboa due to a surge in gang violence. Since January 9, over 2,700 suspects have been arrested as part of the government’s crackdown on gangs. The violence prompted the deployment of soldiers to assist police. The gangs have escalated attacks, including the shocking murder of a prosecutor investigating a TV station attack.
