As a suspected leader of Ecuador's notorious Los Águilas gang lay dying on the tarmac outside Guayaquil airport, the country was left reeling from yet another brazen display of violence. Carlos Alberto Suástegui Villanueva, 39, identified by Interior Minister John Reimberg as the El Triunfo region leader, met a deadly end at the hands of two young assailants who had blended in seamlessly with arriving passengers.
Police have since detained two teenagers in connection with the shooting, which has heightened concerns about the pervasive gang violence gripping Ecuador. The attack occurred just 24 hours after President Daniel Noboa introduced a state of emergency across 10 provinces, including Guayas, where Guayaquil is located. This measure empowers security forces to conduct warrantless searches under reasonable suspicion of illicit activity in an effort to curb the escalating crime wave.
Los Águilas, designated as a 'terrorist organisation' by President Noboa in 2024, is accused of being deeply entrenched in drug trafficking and extortion. As one of several gangs driving Ecuador's transformation from a relatively stable nation into a hotspot for crime, it has contributed to the country boasting one of the highest murder rates in the Western Hemisphere.
The gang's activities have been facilitated by Ecuador's strategic location between Colombia and Peru, which are among the world's leading coca producers. As a result, the country serves as a crucial corridor for cocaine smuggling to the US, Europe, and other international destinations.
Guayaquil, in particular, has borne the brunt of drug and gang-related violence. The audacity of the daylight assassination outside the airport's arrivals hall has reportedly left local residents stunned. Newspaper El Universo described scenes of chaos as passengers scattered when shots were fired. Authorities confirmed one bystander was injured during the attack, with video footage showing a man with luggage collapsing as the shooting unfolded.
The incident has underscored the significant challenges faced by President Noboa's administration in its ongoing battle against organised crime and its impact on public safety and daily life across the country. Despite previous states of emergency and government efforts to combat gang violence, Ecuador's murder rate reached a record high in 2025.
For UK travellers considering a visit to Ecuador, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against all but essential travel to several areas, including Guayaquil, due to high levels of crime and violence. Specific advice highlights the risk of armed robbery, kidnapping, and carjacking.