Second Mayor Murdered in Ecuador within Three Days: Jorge Maldonado’s Death

Another mayor in Ecuador fell victim to a fatal attack on Friday, marking the second such incident in three days. This violence is occurring amidst an “internal armed conflict” that the president declared at a national level since the beginning of 2024 against organized crime groups. The latest victim is the mayor of Portovelo, Jorge Maldonado, in the southern coastal province of El Oro. His death was confirmed by the Association of Municipalities of Ecuador (AME).

The attack on Maldonado took place around 9:20 local time on Friday when gunmen shot him. Despite being rushed to a medical center, he did not survive. This tragedy follows the murder of Jose Sanchez, the mayor of the Camilo Ponce Enriquez canton. Both municipalities have a commonality with illegal mining activities and being transit areas for drug trafficking gangs in Ecuador.

The wave of violence has also claimed the life of the youngest mayor in Ecuador, Brigitte Garcia, and councilor Diana Carnero, both in separate incidents. These murders come amid a crucial week for the Noboa Government, which has called for a referendum to address security, justice, and employment issues in the country. The proposed measures include increased penalties for crimes related to organized crime and giving authorities more tools to combat criminal activities.

The government aims to tackle the growing criminal violence that has plagued Ecuador in recent years. The country has had a high homicide rate, with 45 per 100,000 inhabitants reported in 2023. With the proposed reforms, the Noboa Government seeks to address these security challenges and bring an end to the escalating violence in the country.