At least 22 people were killed and six others injured in violent armed clashes between rival gangs in the coastal city of Guayaquil, Ecuador.

Local police reported that firearms were used during the clashes. Following the incident, security forces conducted extensive searches across 200 homes, leading to the arrest of 12 suspects and the seizure of weapons and ammunition.

Guayaquil, Ecuador’s largest city and economic hub, has seen a sharp rise in gang-related violence in recent years. Its strategic location has made it a key transit point for drug shipments heading to the United States and Europe.

Ecuador continues to face growing security challenges due to increasing gang activity linked to drug trafficking, leading to a surge in crime and violence across the country.