Guayaquil hit headlines after a soccer star’s family was kidnapped and a former player was killed in gang violence, highlighting Ecuador’s chaos.
Luis Pineida, a 33-year-old defender for Barcelona de Guayaquil and former Ecuador national team player, was shot and killed in Guayaquil. Suspects Cristian P.G. and Jimnery P.B appeared before a judge and were remanded in custody. The attack highlights Ecuador's rising violence linked to organized crime and drug trafficking.