Ecuadorian footballer Mario Pineida was tragically shot and killed on Wednesday in Guayaquil, a city that has become a hotspot for gang violence linked to drug trafficking. The 33-year-old defender, who had been part of Ecuador’s national team during the 2018 and 2022 World Cup qualifiers, was killed in an attack that has shocked both his club and fans.

 

Pineida, who also played for Fluminense in 2022, was not part of the Ecuador squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. His club, Barcelona SC, expressed deep sorrow in a post on X (formerly Twitter), confirming his death, “It is with great sadness that we inform the passing of our player Mario Pineida, who lost his life following an attack in Guayaquil.”

 

The Ecuadorian Ministry of the Interior confirmed the death and stated that a special police unit had been assigned to investigate the case. According to local reports, Pineida was attacked by two gunmen on motorcycles who opened fire on him, his mother, and another woman.

 

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Pineida’s tragic death is part of a broader wave of violence targeting footballers in Ecuador. In recent months, several players have been victims of violent attacks, and the rise in football-related violence has been linked to the country’s growing gang activity. In September alone, three players from Ecuador’s second division were killed, with one of the deaths allegedly connected to illegal sports betting. In October, local footballer Bryan Angula was also wounded in a shooting.

 

Guayaquil, once one of the safest cities in Latin America, has become a hotbed for violence. The city has seen a sharp rise in car bombings, shootings, and extortion related to Ecuador’s role as a key cocaine transit hub between Colombia, Peru, and global consumers. From January to September, Guayaquil recorded 1,900 murders, making it the deadliest city in Ecuador.

 

As authorities investigate Pineida’s death, his passing serves as a somber reminder of the escalating violence in Ecuador’s once-peaceful communities.

 

 

Source: Channels