Troops deployed to Manabí following a murderous weekend while nine ‘collateral’ victims die in Playas

More than 2,000 soldiers have arrived in Manabí Province following a rash of deadly shootings that took 15 lives in 12 hours and 22 in three days. According to the Interior Ministry, the killings were the result of a power struggle between Los Choneros and Los Lobos, the country’s two most powerful criminal gangs.

Police and soldiers at the scene of Friday night murders in Manta.

Among those shot dead, according to police, was Leonardo Briones, the leader of Los Lobos. Briones’ wife and two body guards also died in an ambush near Manta.

Another five people were gunned down in a Jaramijó canton brothel Thursday night, apparent revenge killings aimed at Los Choneros.

“The capture and deportation of José Adolfo Macías (‘Fito’) has created a power vacuum between the gangs, resulting in killings throughout Manabí Province,” the Interior Ministry said Sunday. “Army troops have been deployed to areas that have experienced the highest levels of violence.”

The ministry said that soldiers will carry out street checks for weapons, ammunition and explosives and set up surveillance points in several locations in Manta and Montecristi.

In an unrelated attack, nine men described as “collateral victims” were killed Saturday night in a Playas pool hall. Police say the killers’ target briefly took refuge in the pool hall but left before gunmen arrived.

The victims, who were celebrating a birthday, included three General Villamil Playas canton employees, one of them the son of Playas councilman and broadcaster Carlos Yagual.

According to police, a van carrying the gunmen was pursuing two men on a motorcycle. “The passenger was shot and killed but the driver escaped on foot and entered the pool hall,” the police command reported. “He entered the premises and then exited through a back door. The gunmen arrived and shot and killed nine innocent men.”