# Violence and organized crime in Ecuador and Colombia

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/violence-and-organized-crime-in-ecuador-and-colombia
> Updated: 2026-08-15T19:36:45.000Z. Sources: 8. Developments: 2.

Violence has escalated in Ecuador and neighboring Colombia involving attacks on civilians, officials, and state infrastructure.

In Ecuador, Guayas province experienced a surge in violence where an armed attack by individuals on motorcycles killed three minors in Guayaquil. Authorities are investigating potential links to territorial disputes between criminal factions Los Fénix and Los Igualitos. Additionally, a Navy Port Captaincy office in Posorja was targeted with long-range weapons and explosives, prompting a terrorism investigation by the Ecuadorian Prosecutor’s Office.

In Quinindé, Ecuador, Celimo Geovanny Montezuma Portocarrero, a collaborator of a former mayor and mayoral candidate, was assassinated during a shooting at a party. Meanwhile, in Cumbal, Colombia, Guillermo León Soto, the rector of the Divino Niño Jesús Educational Institution, was severely injured in a physical assault by several individuals.

## Claims

- Three minors, aged 7, 13, and 15, were killed during an armed attack in Flor de Bastión. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- A 49-year-old man was wounded in the attack in Flor de Bastión. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The attack on the residence in Flor de Bastión may be linked to territorial disputes between the criminal factions Los Fénix and Los Igualitos. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- At least 18 shell casings were recovered at the scene of the Flor de Bastión attack. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- An armed attack against the Navy office in Posorja resulted in no casualties. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The Ecuadorian Prosecutor's Office has opened a terrorism investigation regarding the attack on the Navy office in Posorja. (single source)
- A grenade was reportedly used during the attack on the Posorja Port Captaincy. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-15: Violence reported in Cumbal and Quinindé involving school official and political aide

Violence in South America: A school rector in Cumbal, Colombia, was seriously injured in an assault, while a former mayor's aide was assassinated in Quinindé, Ecuador.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/violence-reported-in-cumbal-and-quinind-involving-school-official-and-political-aide

### 2026-08-14: Guayaquil violence: Three minors killed and Navy office attacked in Ecuador

Violent attacks in Guayas, Ecuador, include the murder of three minors in Flor de Bastión and a suspected terrorist attack on a Navy office in Posorja.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/posorja-port-authority-attacked-by-armed-individuals-in-ecuador

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Cite as: Violence and organized crime in Ecuador and Colombia. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/violence-and-organized-crime-in-ecuador-and-colombia