Ecuadorian military disables suspected clandestine shooting range in Machala

The Ecuadorian Armed Forces have disabled a structure in the El Coco sector of Machala, El Oro province, suspected of being a clandestine shooting range. During a military operation, personnel discovered evidence of firearm use, including projectile impacts in walls and various spent shell casings.

Military authorities hypothesize that the site was used for training members of Organized Armed Groups (GAO). The infrastructure appears to have been clandestinely modified to facilitate shooting practices. Following the inspection, the military rendered the structure unusable through a controlled detonation to prevent further illicit use.

As of the current report, no arrests have been made, and no specific criminal organization has been publicly linked to the site. Investigations are ongoing to determine the origin of the facility and the identities of those who utilized it.