# Crime and law enforcement operations in South America > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/crime-and-law-enforcement-operations-in-south-america > Updated: 2026-09-30T17:19:07.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2. Law enforcement agencies in Venezuela and surrounding regions have engaged in various operations targeting violent crime and illegal weaponry. In Venezuela, authorities in Sucre launched a manhunt for José Tomás Reyes, known as ‘El Zapatero’, following the fatal attack on his partner, Yolanda María Planes Núñez. Meanwhile, in the Sur del Lago region, the Cuerpo de Investigaciones Científicas, Penales y Criminalísticas (Cicpc) conducted operations against suspected extortionists, resulting in shootouts that left three individuals dead and led to the recovery of stolen firearms. In Ecuador, police in Quito are investigating a potential link between two homicides involving a grey Duster vehicle, including the shooting of a man in Conocoto and the killing of taxi driver Roberto Carlos Ruiz Landeta in the Carcelén district. Additionally, in Salta, authorities seized a significant arsenal consisting of pistols, rifles, grenades, and an anti-aircraft projectile during a raid related to an unlawful retention case, resulting in two arrests. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-30: Police operations result in fatal shootouts and major weapon seizures Police operations in Venezuela resulted in the deaths of three suspected extortionists, while a raid in Salta led to the seizure of military-grade explosives and various firearms. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/police-operations-result-in-fatal-shootouts-and-major-weapon-seizures ### 2026-09-30: Police launch manhunt in Venezuela and investigate dual killings in Ecuador Police in Venezuela are hunting a suspect for the murder of a municipal worker in Sucre, while investigators in Ecuador link two recent homicides via a shared vehicle description. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/police-launch-manhunt-in-venezuela-and-investigate-dual-killings-in-ecuador --- Cite as: Crime and law enforcement operations in South America. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/crime-and-law-enforcement-operations-in-south-america