The police have linked the gang Los Pepes, viewed as the armed wing of the organized crime group Los Lobos, to a total of 24 murders occurring in Manabí in 2025. Among the deceased is José Miguel Mendoza, a former mayoral candidate for Portoviejo, who was killed alongside multiple penitentiary agents targeted during various violent incidents. This alarming trend illustrates a significant act of violence in the region that is worrying local authorities and citizens alike.

Investigative reports reveal that Los Pepes operates as a group of hired assassins executing executions and violent operations to reinforce the territorial control of Los Lobos, further embedding the gang's influence in the province. The methods employed by the gang illustrate a disturbing rise in organized crime, raising concerns about public safety and highlighting the urgent need for law enforcement actions in Ecuador.

This week, the police apprehended two men allegedly connected to the criminal group associated with the murder of José Miguel Mendoza. This operation took place in Manta, spurred by neighborhood complaints of suspected land trafficking in the area. According to police chief William Calle, local residents alerted authorities about several individuals attempting to take possession of land, further indicating the complex layers of organized crime that are emerging within the community, thus necessitating continued vigilance and action from law enforcement to dismantle these criminal operations.