In a tragic event early Sunday morning, a shooting at a nightclub in Santa Lucía, Ecuador, claimed the lives of eight individuals, while three others sustained injuries, according to police reports. Authorities responded to the scene in the coastal province of Guayas, where they discovered seven victims deceased at the location and one more who later succumbed to injuries in the hospital.
The motive behind this violent incident remains unknown, but it adds to a growing list of violent occurrences in the Guayas area. The nightclub's owner, who was also the brother of Santa Lucía's mayor, Ubaldo Urquizo, was among those killed. Local government officials expressed their condolences on social media, offering prayers for the grieving family.
This shooting marks the latest in a series of violent acts within Guayas. Earlier this year, nine individuals were killed in a pool hall shooting, followed by another completely tragic incident where 17 people lost their lives at a bar just a few weeks later. Despite President Daniel Noboa's declaration of war against gang-related crime in January 2024 and the increased military presence in the region, violent crime persists. Official statistics reveal a staggering 4,051 homicides recorded from January to May 2025.
Ecuador's strategic location also exacerbates the issue, as approximately 70 percent of all cocaine produced globally is trafficked through its ports, intensifying the battle against organized crime in the country.
