The police in Manta, Ecuador, have successfully dismantled a gang of suspected hitmen in an operation that reflects ongoing concerns about crime in the region. Among the four individuals detained, there was a striking case of a 14-year-old minor, who reportedly played a logistical role within the group. Law enforcement officials expressed their grave concerns about the gang, considering evidence obtained from confiscated mobile devices, which revealed details of planned attacks against rival criminal organizations.

The commander of police in Manabí, William Calle, emphasized the immediacy and danger posed by these individuals, stating that they were planning to execute several violent attacks in the following days. The arrest of the teenager, who has now been formally presented at the Vigilance Unit in Manta, sheds light on a troubling trend in the province where child recruitment by criminal organizations has been increasingly concerning. This finds alignment with national security alerts highlighting the vulnerability of youth to gang influence.

This incident underscores a larger issue of violence and crime in Ecuador, particularly concerning the involvement of minors in organized crime. Authorities are becoming increasingly vigilant, recognizing that as criminal organizations grow bolder, the recruitment of younger individuals may rise, posing significant challenges in addressing public safety and ensuring the protection of youth from gang activities. The recent operation serves as both a response to immediate threats and a call to action for broader strategies to combat the underlying issues of crime and child exploitation in the region.