Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa, seen at the United Nations Headquarters in 2024 in New York City, faces criticism over a surge in child killings tied to gang violence. File Photo by Peter Foley/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 10 (UPI) -- Between January and June 2025, Ecuador's Interior Ministry recorded 294 killings of minors, compared with 196 in the first half of 2024. The 50% increase reflects a rapid deterioration in public security, especially in coastal cities such as Guayaquil, Durán, Manta and Machala, where criminal gangs are fighting territorial battles that expose minors to shootouts and extreme violence.
Of the victims, 80% were teenagers between 15 and 17 (237 cases), a group highly vulnerable to forced gang recruitment and hired killings. Six children between ages 5 and 9 and 16 children under 4 were also among those killed, several struck by gunfire during clashes in public areas.
On Sept. 4, during an official visit to Quito, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressed Ecuador's security crisis.
"Our commitment is to help this friendly government confront a threat that often comes from abroad, starting with drug cartels and groups that profit from illegal mining. We will do everything possible to help. Today we are declaring Los Lobos and Los Choneros as terrorist organizations," Rubio said.
