Julio Enrique Macas Asanza, who served as the president of the Junta Parroquial de Uzhcurrumi, tragically lost his life following a traffic accident that transpired on February 16, 2026, in the canton of Pasaje, located in the province of El Oro, Ecuador. After five arduous days of searching, his body was recovered by rescue teams on February 21 in the Galayacu area, highlighting the efforts of local authorities and community members in the recovery operations.

The accident occurred in the Chillayacu region of Uzhcurrumi, where Macas and other individuals were traveling in a pickup truck that veered off the road and plunged into a ravine, ultimately landing in a river. The incident was alerted around 5:00 PM on the day of the accident, triggering a response from the National Police and the Fire Department, which mobilized to the site to assist in the search and recovery efforts.

During the initial response, one passenger named Jonathan Macas was rescued by local residents and taken to a healthcare facility for treatment. As rescue teams scoured the area, they discovered remnants of the vehicle and crucial documents, aiding in the identification of the occupants. This tragic event has cast a shadow over the local community, as Macas was a prominent figure, and his untimely passing underscores the dangers associated with road travel in the region.