Ecuador: Police responding to fatal shooting at the Port of Esmeraldas

Event

Police continue to respond to an earlier April 11 shooting incident at the Port of Esmeraldas that left at least five people dead. According to authorities, approximately 15 gunmen entered the port area dedicated to fishing ships at approximately 08:45 and opened fire on their victims, the majority of whom were fishermen. Police evacuated the area and are guarding the perimeter of the port.

Authorities will almost certainly maintain an increased security presence in the impacted area over the coming hours. The associated security cordon will prompt transport and business disruptions.

Context

Police did not immediately announce any arrests, identify the perpetrators, or announce a likely motive for the crime. However, several heavily armed criminal groups, including those composed of members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia, FARC) who refused to demobilize under the peace agreement between the Colombian government and the FARC, operate in Esmeraldas, sometimes using the port to traffic cocaine. The scale of the shooting suggests that a major criminal group was behind it, perhaps due to a dispute about drug shipments.

Advice

Avoid the area until police give the all-clear. Allow for additional transport time and reconfirm business appointments near the port. Heed the instructions of security personnel.