Archive · 21 Jan 2026
Ecuador Murders Jump 30% in 2025
In 2025, Ecuador saw a big increase in murders, with 9,216 people killed compared to 7,063 the year before.
This is a 30% rise and is happening because different gangs are fighting for control after their leaders were caught or killed.
The government, led by President Daniel Noboa, is trying to stop the violence by sending soldiers to the most dangerous areas.
Most of the violence is happening in the province of Guayas, where the big city of Guayaquil is located.
The government has also captured 20 important gang leaders.
President Noboa has called this a war against evil and drug-related terrorism.
Ecuador's murder rate increased by 30% in 2025, reaching 9,216 murders compared to 7,063 in 2024.
The rise in violence is attributed to turf wars between gangs after the capture or death of their leaders.
The government captured 20 high-value targets in 2025, with most violence concentrated in the coastal province of Guayas.
President Daniel Noboa declared several states of emergency and mobilized over 10,000 soldiers to the country's three most violent provinces.
Noboa described the situation as a 'complete war against evil and narco-terrorism' at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
- Who
- President Daniel Noboa's government and gangs in Ecuador
- What
- A 30% increase in murders in 2025 compared to 2024
- When
- 2025
- Where
- Ecuador, primarily in the coastal province of Guayas
- Why
- Turf wars between splintered gangs following the capture or death of their leaders
- Murder Rate Increase
- 30%
- Total Murders in 2025
- 9,216
- Total Murders in 2024
- 7,063
- Murder Rate Decrease in 2023
- 15%
- High-Value Targets Captured in 2025
- 20
- Most Violent Province
- Guayas
- Soldiers Mobilized
- 10,000
- President
- Daniel Noboa