In Ecuador, a series of violent incidents between the evening of February 16 and early morning February 17 led to the deaths of four individuals and injuries to at least four others. The first incident occurred at 01:20 AM in Esmeraldas, where a 25-year-old motorcyclist, Jean Piere Rodríguez, was fatally shot by assailants while riding with another person. This type of violence highlights the increasing security concerns in the region.

Approximately four hours later, another armed attack took place in the La Guacharaca neighborhood of Esmeraldas, leaving one man, Jordan Ocampos Valencia, dead and injuring a 21-year-old woman. The escalating violence has raised alarms among residents and local authorities about the safety of public spaces and the urgent need for improved law enforcement measures.

These events come amidst an ongoing series of violent incidents in Ecuador, which have drawn attention to issues of public safety, organized crime, and the effective response of law enforcement. Community leaders are calling for more preventive actions and government accountability to address the underlying causes of violence in these provinces, particularly as citizens express growing fear for their safety.