Multiple killings of individuals in Ecuador since early September
In the coastal carolina province of Esmeraldas, once a haven of peace between Colombia and Peru, the world's largest cocaine producers, a tragic incident has occurred. On Friday, Jonathan González, a professional Ecuadorian footballer, was assassinated.
González was a member of the 22 de Julio team, competing in the second division. The attack took place on the border between Esmeraldas and Columbia. The exact cause of death for González was gunshot wounds.
This is the third such killing in September in Ecuador, following the deaths of Maicol Valencia and Leandro Yepez, players of Exapromo Costa, a 2nd division Ecuadorian team, on September 10. The Exapromo Costa club stated that Valencia and Yepez were collateral victims, not the targets of the attack.
Another victim died while being transferred to the hospital in the aftermath of the attack on González, but their identity remains unknown. The perpetrators of these murders have not been identified or publicly disclosed in the available information.
The coastal carolina province of Esmeraldas has been plagued by clashes between drug trafficking gangs. The number of homicides in Ecuador has risen dramatically in recent years. In 2018, the homicide rate was 6 per 100,000 inhabitants, but by 2024, this figure had increased to 38, with a record of 47 in 2023.
These incidents serve as a stark reminder of the violence that has gripped parts of Ecuador, particularly the coastal carolina province of Esmeraldas. The football community, along with the nation, mourns the loss of these young lives and calls for an end to the senseless violence.
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