Ecuador Rocked by Deadly Shootings: Six Killed in Puerto Lopez Attack

A violent shooting in Puerto Lopez, a popular whale-watching destination in southwestern Ecuador, has left six people dead, including a two-year-old girl, and three others wounded. The attack occurred on Sunday when gunmen in a van and on motorcycles opened fire on a beachside boardwalk before fleeing the scene. This marks the third deadly incident in the city over the weekend, bringing the total death toll to nine. Police suspect the shootings are linked to an internal dispute between criminal groups. Ecuador has seen a surge in gang violence, allegedly tied to Mexican and Colombian cartels. Despite hardline policies by President Daniel Noboa, the country is grappling with record homicide rates, with 52 killings per 100,000 residents projected for the year.