Judge shot dead in cartel-plagued Ecuador

A justice was changeable dormant connected Thursday successful Ecuador portion walking his children to schoolhouse successful a coastal state plagued by cause cartels, constabulary said.

A gunman travelling by motorbike opened occurrence connected Marcos Mendoza arsenic helium was accompanying his children successful the municipality of Montecristi, the provincial constabulary main Colonel Giovanni Naranjo told reporters.

At slightest 15 judges oregon prosecutors person been killed successful Ecuador since 2022, according to Human Rights Watch.

Naranjo said the Los Lobos pack — 1 of 2 on with rivals Los Choneros that person been designated overseas violent organizations by the United States — was suspected of the attack.

The constabulary main added that Mendoza did not person bodyguards due to the fact that helium ne'er requested constabulary protection.

In June, Mendoza was suspended from his duties for a period aft attempting to pass with Interior Minister John Reimberg soon aft raids connected properties linked to Ecuador’s biggest cause lord, Adolfo Macias, successful Manabi province.

It was not wide whether his telephone to the curate was related to the raids.

Mendoza had not been progressive successful the probe into Los Choneros person Macias, alias “Fito.”

Macias was captured successful June successful the larboard of Manta and extradited to the United States connected drugs and weapons charges.

The Ecuadoran Judges’ Association said Mendoza’s “shocking” execution shone a airy connected the “vulnerability” of the country’s judges.

They “face pressure, threats, and risks each time for carrying retired their duties with independency and courage,” it added.

Ecuador, erstwhile considered 1 of Latin America’s safest nations, has seen a melodramatic surge successful unit successful caller years.

Strategically located betwixt Colombia and Peru, 2 of the world’s largest cocaine producers, it has go a large transit hub for narcotics.

President Daniel Noboa has deployed troops to combat the unit — to small effect.

The fig of murders recorded nationwide accrued 47 percent successful the archetypal fractional of the twelvemonth compared to the aforesaid play successful 2024, according to the Ecuadorian Observatory of Organized Crime.

The station Judge changeable dormant successful cartel-plagued Ecuador appeared archetypal connected Vanguard News.