Overview
- Ecuador’s decree covers Guayas, Manabí, Santa Elena, Los Ríos, El Oro, Pichincha, Esmeraldas, Santo Domingo and Sucumbíos, plus the cantons La Maná, Las Naves and Echeandía.
- Police data cited in the decree report 1,232 violent deaths in the targeted areas between Nov. 1 and Dec. 23, 2025, an 18% rise year over year, with 8,847 homicides nationwide through Dec. 19.
- Official analyses describe territorially expanding, interconnected criminal networks operating along logistics corridors, with armed forces reports naming Los Lobos, Los Choneros and Los Tiguerones in high-impact attacks.
- The decree notes that the listed provinces accounted for 92.1% of national violence during the period analyzed, concentrating the response on the most affected zones.
- The announcement coincided with the confirmed extradition from the United Arab Emirates of Roberto Carlos Álvarez, alias “Gerente,” which President Daniel Noboa highlighted as part of international cooperation efforts.