Ecuadorian councilor, 29, executed in broad daylight while filming video about roads.

A tragic incident unfolded in broad daylight in the town of Naranjal, Guayas, as Ecuadorian councilwoman Diana Carnero, aged 29, was killed just after concluding a council meeting. While documenting the poor road conditions, she became a victim of violence.

In a brazen act, two assailants approached her on a motorcycle, fatally shooting her in the head before fleeing the scene, leaving behind a shocked crowd. Despite the efforts of law enforcement, no arrests have been made yet, leaving the community gripped with fear and uncertainty.

Ecuador finds itself ensnared in a surge of crime linked to drug trafficking syndicates. The populace fears an escalation of violence, especially after the assassination of a presidential candidate last year. President Daniel Noboa's declaration of a state of emergency and authorization for military intervention against these gangs reflects the gravity of the situation. Consequently, many citizens remain confined to their homes, while the streets of major cities are patrolled by armed forces, and educational institutions and businesses remain closed.

Diana Carnero, a member of the Citizen Revolution Movement, a democratic socialist party aligned with former President Rafael Correa, had been elected to the Naranjal city council in February 2023. Correa, expressing condolences, lamented the untimely loss, highlighting the promising future Carnero represented for her community and the nation at large.

The tragic incident prompted an outcry from various political figures. Guayaquil deputy mayor Blanca López voiced a plea for an end to such violence, emphasizing the inherent risk faced by those striving for betterment in their communities.

Carnero's assassination is not an isolated incident. It follows a string of targeted attacks on public officials, including the killings of Councilman Charbel Rouhana in Yaguachi, Bolivar Vera in Durán, presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio in Quito, and Mayor Agustín Intriago in Manta. These incidents underscore the pervasive threat posed by organized crime in Ecuador and the urgent need for decisive action to ensure the safety and security of its citizens.