The local Emergency Operations Committee (COE) of Ecuador declared a state of emergency this Sunday in the municipality of Playas (southwest) following the murder of at least nine people in an armed attack on a premises perpetrated on Saturday.

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The resolution of the declaration “due to insecurity” specifies that it will remain in effect for “a maximum of sixty days” and notes that there will be three days of mourning in memory of the victims, who were in a billiard hall when they were attacked.

The resolution also includes the suspension of the festivities that were planned for the anniversary of the municipality, located in the coastal province of Guayas, one of the most affected by violence in the Andean nation.

In addition, it urged the Ministry of Education to implement the virtual modality in schools and colleges for the duration of the emergency.

The State Attorney General’s Office has initiated a preliminary investigation into the murder of nine people in the Santa Isabel neighborhood billiard hall, although the local press has referred to more fatalities and that the families allegedly removed the bodies before the arrival of the police.

Among the deceased is a soccer coach from the Guayas Prefecture, as confirmed on Saturday by its head, Marcela Aguiñaga.

The police collected at least 80 bullet casings at the crime scene, while authorities are investigating recordings from security cameras and cell phones.

Videos circulated on social media showing the wake of five childhood friends who were murdered in Saturday’s attack.

In early 2024, the President of Ecuador, Daniel Noboa, elevated the fight against organized crime to the category of “internal armed conflict,” thereby classifying organized crime gangs as “terrorists.”

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