INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Minister Juan Zapata verified Vera was kidnapped and killed
He was driving with a relative before a council meeting.This killing happened during a 60-day emergency state
President Guillermo Lasso aims to control rising violence.Coastal areas face a high risk of homicides this year.Murder of council member
For safety, Chonillo left the country.Online images show Mayor Chonillo wearing safety gear at work
Guayas province is one of the most dangerous regions in Ecuador
Its coastal location makes it vulnerable to a range of illicit activities.These include drug trafficking, which often escalates into
violence and power struggles among criminal groups.The ongoing situation has raised serious concerns about public safety
Many citizens question the effectiveness of government efforts to curb crime.Even elected officials, like Vera and Mayor Chonillo, are not
safe, causing public trust to wane.President Guillermo Lasso has a challenging task at hand
Curbing violence needs a multi-pronged strategy beyond temporary measures like an emergency state.Structural changes in law enforcement and
