Guayaquil police arrest student with firearm recruited by organized crime

In Guayaquil, Ecuador, police apprehended a 16-year-old student at the Dolores Sucre Educational Unit after a teacher noticed suspicious behavior. A search of the student's backpack revealed a homemade firearm. Authorities stated the minor had been recruited by organized crime groups via social media, targeting vulnerable youth.

This incident follows a series of violent events affecting the Ecuadorian educational community. Recent reports include the death of teacher Juan Carlos Pozo Roque in Huaquillas and the murder of teacher José Luis Marcial Ramos in La Troncal.

The Unión Nacional de Educadores has criticized the government's 'Plan Escudo,' a security strategy launched in early September 2026. The union is demanding transparency regarding the plan's scope, resources, and effectiveness, arguing that current measures like police presence and searches have failed to prevent violence from entering classrooms.