Four Dead, Two Wounded in Late-Night Shooting at Guayaquil’s Las Orquídeas Park

Another night, another massacre in Guayaquil.

What Happened

Shortly before midnight on Wednesday, February 18, gunmen arrived in a vehicle at a public park in the Las Orquídeas neighborhood of northern Guayaquil and opened fire on a group of citizens. More than 50 rounds were fired.

Four people were killed and two others wounded. The victims — all residents of the sector — ranged in age from 25 to 65 years old.

An eyewitness reported that a car “suddenly arrived and gunfire was directed against everyone present.” The attack occurred near a local school.

Police and military personnel arrived at the scene to collect evidence and begin an investigation. Authorities are examining whether the victims had connections to criminal organizations, though initial reports suggest at least some were ordinary residents.

The Pattern

This attack follows a grim pattern that has defined Guayaquil’s security crisis:

• January 1, 2026: A mass shooting in Manta killed 6 and wounded 12, prompting a new state of emergency
• Late 2025: Multiple targeted killings in Guayaquil’s northern suburbs, including Samborondón and Sauces
• Throughout 2025: Guayaquil consistently recorded the highest homicide rates in Ecuador, with much of the violence concentrated in the northern and southern periphery

The Las Orquídeas neighborhood is in Guayaquil’s rapidly expanding northern sector — a middle-class residential area that has seen increasing criminal activity as gangs expand their territorial control beyond traditional strongholds.

Government Response

Ecuador remains under a state of emergency declared in early January 2026, which grants the military expanded powers to conduct operations alongside police. However, critics argue the measure has done little to prevent targeted attacks like this one.

The government has emphasized that its strategy focuses on dismantling gang leadership rather than preventing every individual attack — a position that offers little comfort to residents of affected neighborhoods.

What This Means for Expats

• Guayaquil remains Ecuador’s highest-risk city for violent crime. If you live in or travel through Guayaquil, maintain heightened awareness, especially after dark
• Las Orquídeas is a residential area, not a known danger zone. That’s what makes this attack particularly alarming — it occurred in a middle-class neighborhood near a school, not in a marginal area
• Avoid lingering in public spaces at night. Parks, street corners, and outdoor gathering spots have been frequent targets for drive-by attacks
• The state of emergency has limited practical effect on daily safety. You’ll see more military checkpoints and patrols, but targeted sicario attacks continue
• Emergency contacts: ECU 911 (all emergencies), National Police 101

Sources: El Universo, Radio Centro, Notimundo