On January 9, an armed group reportedly kidnapped three individuals from a gold mining camp located in Playa de Oro, northern Esmeraldas, Ecuador. The incident occurred around 4 PM when approximately twenty armed men violently entered the area. The victims included the mining camp owner, his nephew, and a bodyguard.

A Colombian worker at the camp witnessed the event and provided testimony to the police. He recounted how he was taking a break when the armed individuals abducted the three men and that he fled into the surrounding bushes when he heard gunfire. After escaping, he sought refuge in a nearby house, emphasizing the chaotic and dangerous environment during the raid.

This incident underscores the escalating violence associated with illegal mining operations in Ecuador, raising concerns about safety and security in the region. As armed groups increasingly target mining camps, the local community faces heightened risks, necessitating urgent attention from authorities and a possible reassessment of security measures in these vulnerable areas.