Sat May 10 03:25:54 UTC 2025: ## Ecuadorian Soldiers Killed in Ambush by FARC Dissidents
**QUITO, ECUADOR** – At least 11 Ecuadorian soldiers were killed and one wounded in an ambush by dissident members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) on Friday, May 9th, 2025. The attack, which involved explosives, grenades, and firearms, took place during a military operation targeting illegal mining in the eastern province of Orellana, near the Colombian border.
The Ecuadorian military confirmed the casualties, stating that dozens of soldiers were involved in the operation. The prosecutor’s office identified the Comandos de la Frontera, a drug trafficking group operating in the border region, as responsible for the attack. This group, currently engaged in peace negotiations with Colombian authorities, is also sought by the U.S. for extradition of its detained leader.
The ambush highlights the escalating violence plaguing Ecuador. The country has seen a dramatic rise in killings this year, averaging one per hour at the start of 2025, as drug cartels fight for control of cocaine trafficking routes. This surge in violence is negatively impacting the economy, deterring investors and tourists, and increasing poverty rates to 28% of the population. The Ecuadorian military vowed to bring those responsible for the attack to justice.
First Piper 