Ecuador launched bombings against illegal mining enclaves in Imbabura province on October 19th, 2025, following a direct order from President Daniel Noboa. The operation, conducted by the Armed Forces, targets enclaves linked to violent mafias and aims to combat organized crime and drug trafficking. The bombings occurred within the reporting window of 6:02:49 PM to 9:02:49 PM UTC. President Noboa stated in a message on X that the government will not yield to pressure or threats, emphasizing that Ecuador is a free state governed by law and remains strong against drug trafficking. He confirmed the ongoing attacks in Buenos Aires, Imbabura province, and indicated plans to extend operations to other key areas of the country to combat illegal mining and its political protectors. The operation specifically targets illegal mining operations, which have been identified as being connected to violent mafias. The Ecuadorian Armed Forces are carrying out the attacks on these enclaves. This action is part of a broader strategy by the Noboa administration to confront organized crime within the nation. This development in Ecuador comes as Bolivia is also holding a presidential runoff election on the same day, October 19th, 2025, a significant electoral event for that nation, as noted in previous reports. However, the new sources focus exclusively on the security operations in Ecuador.
