Shocking: Another Ecuadorian Mayor Killed in Brutal Attack, Marking 3 Days of Violence

In a shocking turn of events, another mayor in Ecuador has been killed in a brutal attack, marking the second such incident in just three days. This latest victim is the mayor of Portovelo, Jorge Maldonado, who was shot and killed by gunmen around 9:20 local time on Friday. Despite being rushed to a medical center, Maldonado did not survive.

The attack on Maldonado comes amid an “internal armed conflict” that President Noboa declared at a national level since the beginning of 2024 against organized crime groups. The country has been plagued by criminal violence in recent years, with a high homicide rate of 45 per 100,000 inhabitants reported in 2023.

The latest wave of violence has also claimed the life of the youngest mayor in Ecuador, Brigitte Garcia, and councilor Diana Carnero, both in separate incidents. These murders have come amid a crucial week for the Noboa Government, which has called for a referendum to address security, justice, and employment issues in the country. The proposed measures include increased penalties for crimes related to organized crime and giving authorities more tools to combat criminal activities.

The government aims to tackle the growing criminal violence that has plagued Ecuador in recent years. With this tragic loss of life and increasing violence against municipal leaders