Air Force Colonel Shot Dead By Hitmen

Hitmen gunned down an Air Force colonel on Friday.

Colonel Porfirio Cedeño, who was the head of an Ecuadoran special operations unit, was shot by hitmen while riding in a van on its way to a military ceremony.

Police officials in Santiago Tuston reported that 20 shots were fired at the van, which resulted in Cedeno’s death.

Cedeno’s death comes as two rival drug gangs have been wreaking havoc in Ecuador.

Air force colonel shot dead by hitmen while driving to military ceremony in Ecuador – https://t.co/kxlIKhM8zq

— Oola News (@oolanews) February 14, 2025

Here’s what CBS News reported:

Hitmen gunned down an Ecuadoran air force colonel Friday in a city hard hit by drug crime that has turned the once-peaceful South American country into one of the most violent, authorities said.

Police said Colonel Porfirio Cedeño, who led an air force special operations unit, was the passenger in a van taking him to a military ceremony.

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More than 20 shots were fired and the driver was hit in the leg in the attack in the city of Guayaquil, said police official Santiago Tuston.

Cedeño was traveling from Guayaquil to the city of Manta about three hours away. Both cities have been caught up in fighting between rival drug gangs which has seen homicide rates in Ecuador soar.

The van ended up stalled in the middle of the road with broken windows and riddled with bullet holes, AFP observed.

#ElMundoTN I Asesinan coronel de la Fuerza Armada de Ecuador.

Puede ampliar la nota completa entrando desde el link.https://t.co/qIC96ZgAnf#telesistemas11 #telenoticias #ecuador #fuerzaarmanada pic.twitter.com/UeHKo4Fxcc

— TelenoticiasRD (@Telenoticiasrd) February 14, 2025

Per Non Stop Local News:

Hitmen gunned down an Ecuadoran air force colonel Friday in a city hard hit by drug crime that has turned the once-peaceful South American country into one of the most violent.

Police said Colonel Porfirio Cedeno, who led an air force special operations unit, was the passenger in a van taking him to a military ceremony.

More than 20 shots were fired and the driver was hit in the leg in the attack in the city of Guayaquil, said police official Santiago Tuston.