Ecuador Air Force takes over region ravaged by gang violence: Video
The Ecuadorian Air Force has launched a major operation in Duran, a region plagued by gang violence and drug trafficking, as part of President Daniel Noboa’s intensified campaign against crime.
The military presence follows a series of violent incidents, including the recent killing of a young man, which has left the local community in despair.
“They killed my son, we don’t know why,” said a grieving relative at the crime scene. "We are tired of so much crime, so much death," she shared with the AFP.
In response to the escalating violence, Duran has been militarized. A member of the Air Force, leading the operation, assured citizens, "Yes, the Canton of Duran is militarized. We invite the citizens to trust their armed forces, that we are patriotic people here, willing to pacify the canton."
This military action is part of Noboa's broader "war" against drug-related violence, with a warning to gangs in July that their "hours are numbered." The Air Force’s efforts include operations to control arms, ammunition, and explosives, aiming to bring peace and stability to the region.
