Luis Chonillo News Today

Across a river from the port city of Guayaquil, Durán has become a strategic hub for drug shipments and a battleground for gangs

The latest episode of Ecuadors seemingly endless violence consisted of the assassination of Babahoyo Prosecutor Genaro R. and the kidnapping of former Durán Mayor Mariana Mendieta de Narváez, in addition to the death of six other prison inmates just over a week before the presidential elections.

The mayor of the coastal municipality does not stay in the same place for more than one night after an assassination attempt and authorities cannot safeguard the lives of schoolchildren amid a gang turf war

The death of Bolivar Vera is the latest in a string of political violence as Ecuador struggles with high homicide rates.

Councilman Bolívar Vera, 42, of the municipality of Durán was kidnapped and murdered in a new episode of Ecuadors political violence saga one month ahead of the presidential runoff. Veras body was found Friday on a road in the rural sector of Salitre with his hands tied in the province of Guayas, it was also reported. He had been reported missing on Thursday, Sept. 7.

Quito, Sep 8 (Prensa Latina) The councilman of the Ecuadorian city of Duran, in the province of Guayas, Bolívar Vera, who had been kidnapped Thursday night, was found dead today in that locality.

The assassination of candidate Fernando Villavicencio has deepened the security crisis and shaken up the political landscape just days before the first round on August 20

Quito, Aug 4 (Prensa Latina) Attacks on politicians and public officials are increasingly frequent in Ecuador today, especially in the coastal provinces where the main criminal gangs operating in the South American nation are based.

The president of Ecuador, Guillermo Lasso, declared a state of emergency following a wave of violence over the weekend.

The president of Ecuador, Guillermo Lasso, declared a state of emergency following a wave of violence over the weekend.