On the night of February 15, during the Carnival holiday, the Ecuadorian Ministry of the Interior took control of Segura EP, a municipal public company tasked with risk management and security in Guayaquil. This intervention comes in the wake of allegations related to organized crime against Aquiles Alvarez, the city's mayor, who is currently detained in a case connected to money laundering. Minister John Reimberg emphasized that the intervention is not aimed at confronting the local government but rather at protecting the residents of Guayaquil from increasing violence and insecurity.

Segura EP, established under Alvarez's administration, was created to enhance security and risk management in the region. Following the intervention, the National Police will now oversee the operations of Segura EP, utilizing its resources and logistics for the overall security framework of the area. This takeover highlights the government's commitment to addressing the rampant violence in the region, where 3,115 intentional homicides were recorded in Zone 8 (which includes Guayaquil, Durán, and Samborondón) in 2025, illustrating a significant rise in crime and public safety concerns.

The community's outcry for sustained actions to improve security is growing amidst rising crime rates, and the government's direct involvement in Segura EP aims to reassure citizens of their safety. The effectiveness of this intervention remains to be seen, with many citizens hoping for tangible improvements in their daily lives as the government addresses security challenges aggressively against organized crime in Guayaquil.