The Government of Ecuador condemned the assassination of the commander of the Special Operations Group of the Ecuadorian Air Force (FAE), Porfirio Javier Cedeño, during an armed attack, and warned of a "forceful" response against those responsible for the crime. The attack occurred in the western province of Manabí when Cedeño was traveling to the city of Manta to attend a military ceremony. The Armed Forces offered a reward to capture the material and intellectual authors of the attack. The Government declared that this situation shows that the country is experiencing an internal armed conflict and highlighted the importance of security. The state of emergency declared in January, initially in effect for 60 days in seven provinces and three cantons, has been extended. Cedeño, a lieutenant colonel and commander of the Special Operations Group of the FAE since May 2023, had been the rector of the FAE Armed Forces Educational Unit 3 in Taura and was part of the security team of former president Rafael Correa (2007-2017). The assassination adds to a wave of violence against politicians, mayors, prosecutors, and prison officials by organized crime. The Government promised a forceful response against those responsible for the attack in which Cedeño lost his life.
