More troops head to the jungle; Noboa claims success for international tour; First euthanasia performed in Guayaquil; Paute and Santa Bárbara Rivers overflow

The army command has ordered an additional 1,500 troops to Orellana and Sucumbíos Provinces following the massacre of 11 soldiers in Alto Punino Friday. The new troops join an estimated 1,200 already deployed to the region near the Colombian border.

The 11 soldiers were on a search and destroy mission of illegal gold mines when they were ambushed. The army is claiming the ambush was carried out by the Colombian-based Border Commandos, formerly part of the FARC revolutionary movement, while leaders of the Commandos say the Ecuadorian Los Lobos gang was responsible.

Ecuador’s first case of medically assisted euthanasia was recorded last week in Guayaquil.

The single attacker killed in the ambush was identified Sunday as Compadre, an alias for a gang leader associated with both Los Lobos and the Border Commanders. Compadre is believed to be Ecuadorian, but his real name is unknown.

The army said missions to dismantle illegal mines will be increased in the area, as well as special forces missions to locate those responsible for the ambush.

Noboa claims success for international tour
President Daniel Noboa is calling his tour of six European and Middle Eastern countries a “resounding success.” Noboa and five Ecuadorian ministers met with the leaders of Italy, Spain, the United Arab Emirates, Israel, the United Kingdom and France following the funeral two weeks ago of Pope Frances is Rome.

In a statement, Noboa said that he received commitments of assistance in fighting international drug traffickers as well as pledges for increased trade and investment. In addition, the president said new agreements will boost tourism between Ecuador and the countries he visited.

According to the presidential press office, the major accomplishments of the tour were: agreements with Israel and UAE for electronic and cyber security support in combatting drug cartels; development of new plans with France, Great Britain and Italy for enhanced port security, including the deployment of electronic drug scanning equipment; and the sharing of police intelligence.

First legal euthanasia performed in Guayaquil
Doctors assisted a terminally ill patient in Guayaquil to end her life on May 8, the woman’s attorney said Monday. It was the first legal case of euthanasia in Ecuador following a 2023 ruling by the Constitutional Court legalizing the practice.

According to her attorney, the woman suffered intense pain as breast cancer had spread to her brain and other parts of her body. “She decided voluntarily to end her suffering and her family is relieved that her terrible ordeal has ended,” the attorney said.

The attorney added that the protocols ordered by the court and developed by the Ministry of Health and Social Security health service were followed in the case.

The legalization of euthanasia followed a legal petition by Quito resident Paola Roldán, a victim of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), that she be allowed to end her life with medical assistance. The court ruled that euthanasia, applied in medically reviewed cases, was a human right guaranteed by the constitution.

Paute and Santa Bárbara Rivers overflow
Flooding from the Paute and Santa Bárbara Rivers has inundated sections Gualaceo, Paute and Chordeleg as a result of recent rains. Linear river parks in Gualaceo and Paute remained partially submerged Monday, although officials said waters were receding.

At least 20 homes were flooding along the two rivers as emergency personnel performed dozens of rescues and evacuations in low-laying areas. On Sunday, flooding temporarily closed the Velasco Ibarra bridge in Gualaceo.