In a shocking and appalling act of violence, Ecuadorian councilwoman Diana Carnero, 29, was executed in broad daylight shortly after concluding a council meeting in the town of Naranjal in Guayas on Wednesday afternoon.
Carnero, who had just wrapped up her duties and was recording a video highlighting the poor road conditions in the area, fell victim to a targeted attack by two assailants on a motorcycle. Without warning, the suspects approached her and shot her in the head before swiftly fleeing the scene, leaving bystanders stunned and horrified.
Despite the swift response of bystanders who rushed to provide first aid, Carnero’s injuries proved fatal. She was immediately transported to Naranjal Basic Hospital, where medical professionals pronounced her dead.
The brazen assassination has sent shockwaves across Ecuador, prompting an urgent call for justice and an investigation into the heinous crime by Ecuador’s Attorney General’s Office. As of Thursday afternoon, no arrests had been made in connection with the incident.
Carnero, a member of the Citizen Revolution Movement, a democratic socialist political party, was elected to the Naranjal city council in February 2023. Her sudden and tragic death has elicited an outpouring of grief and tributes from colleagues, community members, and political figures.
Former President Rafael Correa, under whose administration the Citizen Revolution Movement was formed, expressed his condolences on social media, describing Carnero’s murder as a “nightmare” and lamenting the loss of a promising young leader.
Carnero, who possessed a background as a civil engineer and worked as an administrator at a learning center, was dedicated to serving her community and advocating for its betterment. Her untimely demise has underscored the dangers faced by public servants in Ecuador, particularly those who speak out against injustice and work to improve their communities.
The assassination of Diana Carnero comes amid a concerning trend of violence targeting politicians in Ecuador. Just one day prior to her murder, Guayas Governor Alberto Molina convened a meeting with law enforcement officials in Naranjal to address the escalating violence attributed to turf wars between criminal organizations and small gangs, which have also targeted politicians.
In response to the surge in violence, President Daniel Noboa declared a 60-day state of emergency in January, authorizing the military to carry out operations inside prisons in an effort to regain control. However, the recent spate of political assassinations, including Carnero’s, highlights the persistent challenges facing Ecuador in combating organized crime and ensuring the safety of its citizens and public officials.