The National Police in Guayaquil captured Ruben Hernan Zambrano Briones, alias “Teniente,” considered the leader of a Los Choneros faction, during the Atlas 8 operation at a logistics collection center, along with two other individuals with drug trafficking convictions.

Interior Minister John Reimberg noted that during the operations, five firearms were seized, 11 motorcycles were impounded, 115 vehicles were searched, and three vehicles were recovered.

Decreed by President Daniel Noboa between March 15 and 30, the curfew is in effect from 23:00 hours to 05:00 hours (local time) in the Guayas, Los Rios, El Oro, and Santo Domingo de los Tsachilas provinces.

The measure is part of what the Government defines as a new phase in the fight against gang violence, after recording more than 9,000 violent deaths in 2025, the highest figure in the country’s history, and the highest homicide rate in Latin America.

On the other hand, Ecuador is conducting military operations against illegal mining in border areas with Peru and Colombia, which has generated tensions with the latter country after President Gustavo Petro denounced the discovery of an Ecuadorian explosive device on its territory.

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