Violence continues unleashed in Ecuador: two 15- and 16-year-old assassins murder the leader of a criminal gang at the airport and Noboa deploys 13,000 military

Violence continues to plague Ecuador, where two teenagers aged 15 and 16 shot dead the leader of a criminal gang at Guayaquil International Airport. The incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday near the international arrivals area, triggering immediate security protocols and closing the airport for about two hours. According to police reports, one person was killed and two others injured during the attack. Video footage shared on social media showed individuals lying on the ground amid the confusion of passengers and airport staff.

The victim, identified as Carlos Alberto Suástegui Villanueva, was described by the interior minister, John Reimberg, as a suspected leader of the criminal group known as Los Águilas, a faction within Los Choneros, one of the oldest and most notorious gangs operating in the country. Suástegui had four previous convictions and had been imprisoned twice before. He faced charges including illegal association, murder, and possession of unauthorized firearms. Following the attack, authorities arrested the two minors and handed them over to judicial authorities. Two weapons were recovered from the scene.

The attackers appeared to be ordinary adolescents waiting for a loved one arriving from abroad. They carried a plush toy of the video game character Sonic and a bouquet of flowers, which helped them blend into the crowd without raising suspicion among travelers or airport personnel. However, these items allowed them to conceal their pistols, which they quickly drew upon identifying their target. The first attacker fired at close range, causing the victim to collapse. The second then finished him off before attempting to flee. The entire sequence was captured on surveillance cameras.

In response to the escalating violence, President Daniel Noboa declared a new state of exception in ten provinces and three municipalities starting Wednesday. This measure authorizes the deployment of 13,000 military personnel across four of the most violent provinces—Guayas, Manabí, El Oro, and Los Ríos—starting Thursday. These regions include Guayaquil, the largest city in Ecuador, and areas along the coast that serve as critical routes for drug trafficking to Europe and North America. The state of exception will last for 60 days and covers additional provinces such as Pichincha, Azuay, and Esmeraldas, as well as specific municipalities in several other departments.

This decision marks another step in Noboa’s broader strategy since declaring the country under a “state of internal armed conflict” at the beginning of 2024. Under this declaration, the government has intensified its fight against organized crime groups labeled as “terrorists.” Despite these measures, Ecuador recorded a record number of 9,281 murders in 2025, translating to more than 50 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants—a stark indication of the ongoing crisis.

In addition to deploying national troops, President Noboa signed a decree allowing foreign military forces to operate within Ecuador and granting them immunity. This move comes as part of efforts to enhance collaboration in combating criminal organizations. The involvement of international troops raises questions about the extent of foreign influence in domestic security operations and could potentially complicate diplomatic relations with neighboring countries.

The deployment of 13,000 soldiers signals a shift toward a more aggressive approach in addressing the country's deepening security challenges. The government describes this phase as a period of “total war,” emphasizing the need for comprehensive strategies to dismantle criminal networks. With the situation remaining volatile, the effectiveness of these measures remains uncertain, particularly given the high levels of violence already present in the affected regions. As the military presence increases, concerns about potential human rights violations and the impact on civilian populations also grow, adding layers of complexity to the unfolding scenario.