Two Albanian nationals and three Ecuadorian citizens were rescued early Friday morning during a joint military and police operation in the Rinconada and Ayampe areas of Santa Elena province, Ecuador. The hostages were being held at a rural property allegedly used by the notorious criminal group “Los Choneros.”
The high-risk operation began in the early hours of the day and led to an armed confrontation between Ecuadorian security forces and members of the cocaine trafficking group. One suspected member of “Los Choneros” was killed in the shootout, while four others were arrested on site.
Ecuadorian authorities reported that the raided farm was serving as an illegal base for criminal activity, including the detention of kidnapped individuals. It is believed that the site was part of a broader network of organized crime operations linked to drug trafficking and hostage-taking.
During the raid, security forces confiscated four handguns, 74 rounds of 9mm ammunition, six mobile phones, and a bundle of plastic zip ties suspected to have been used to restrain the hostages.
The deceased suspect has not yet been identified, but investigators believe he was an active member of “Los Choneros,” one of Ecuador’s most violent criminal organizations.
The identities of the two rescued Albanians have not been made public, and authorities are continuing their investigation to uncover the motives behind the kidnapping and explore potential international connections of the gang.
This incident underscores the growing concern over transnational criminal networks and the presence of foreign nationals caught in violent conflicts far from home.