The Teodoro Maldonado Carbo hospital (HTMC) in Ecuador has come under military oversight due to escalating violence surrounding its operations. This comes after the assassination of a key hospital administrator, Nathaly López, in March 2023, who was shot as she left the facility. Following this tragic event, military personnel were deployed to secure the hospital, with naval ex-officials being placed in strategic managerial positions, including Mac Mera, as the new manager. Such interventions highlight the hospital’s ongoing challenges related to security and management stability.

In early February 2024, the situation escalated further when Franklin Encalada, the then-general manager, resigned amid rising tensions. This resignation came shortly after the alarming abduction of Ronny Camba, the administrative director, whose whereabouts remain unknown. These incidents have created a ripple effect, prompting authorities to increase military presence in the hospital to ensure the safety of both staff and patients.

Most recently, the situation deteriorated again when Carlos Maruri, the director of General Services at HTMC, was targeted in a deadly attack. This incident occurred on March 3, 2024, as he was leaving his home to head to work, exemplifying the ongoing violence that poses significant risks not only to hospital staff but also to the broader community. As such, the military's involvement represents an urgent response to a crisis that reflects wider issues of safety and stability within the region, particularly for public institutions like HTMC.