Insecurity concerns rise in Ambato and Bogotá

Residents in several South American localities are expressing growing concern over rising crime rates. In the Picaihua parish of Ambato, Ecuador, inhabitants from sectors including San Juan, Simón Bolívar, and Calicanto organized a torchlight march on Friday, September 11, to demand increased security. Local leaders reported a surge in vehicle thefts, robberies in homes, and the theft of livestock, which impacts families involved in agricultural activities.

In the Canaima neighborhood of Usaquén, Bogotá, Colombia, residents and business owners are on alert following an armed robbery at a commercial establishment. Security footage captured two armed men intimidating people inside to steal jewelry, mobile phones, and cash. Witnesses reported that two accomplices on motorcycles were waiting outside to facilitate a quick escape. Local community members suspect a recurring pattern of nighttime robberies targeting businesses in the area.