### Violence Erupts at Ecuador Cockfight: 12 Dead in Gun Attack

Authorities have apprehended four suspects linked to a brutal attack that claimed 12 lives during a cockfighting event in La Valencia, Ecuador.

Police in Ecuador have arrested four individuals connected to a tragic shooting that resulted in the deaths of 12 people at a cockfighting event in the rural locality of La Valencia. The incident unfolded on Friday, with reports indicating that individuals dressed in imitation military and police uniforms launched the attack, firing indiscriminately at the crowd of spectators who were enjoying the event.

Footage circulated on social media captured the horrifying moments as gunmen stormed the venue, triggering panic and chaos among the attendees. In the wake of the attack, law enforcement officials conducted raids in Manabí province, seizing weapons along with replicas of military and police uniforms believed to be used by the assailants.

Initial investigations suggest the gunmen may belong to a criminal gang engaged in a fierce turf war over control of lucrative drug trafficking routes, with as many as 20 gangs operating within the country. Ecuadorean President Daniel Noboa has voiced concerns around the escalating violence, linking it to the country's significant role in the drug trade, stating that approximately 70% of the world’s cocaine transits through Ecuadorian ports before reaching destinations like the United States and Europe.

The country has witnessed a surge in violent crimes, with January recording 781 murders, marking it as one of the most dangerous months in recent history, primarily fueled by disputes tied to the drug trade. The alarming figures reflect the broader instability facing Ecuador as it grapples with the consequences of its drug trafficking dilemma, raising questions about safety and the rule of law in the nation.