Ecuador defender Pineida shot dead in Guayaquil

"QUITO, Ecuador -- Ecuadorian police said on Wednesday that Mario Pineida, a 33-year-old Barcelona de Guayaquil defender, was shot dead in an apparent attack as violence escalates in the Andean nation. Another person who police did not identify was also killed in the incident, and a third was wounded. Ecuador's Interior Ministry confirmed Pineida's death without providing details. Barcelona de Guayaquil said in a statement its fans are saddened by Pineida's death."

"Pineida started his professional career at Independiente del Valle, where he played from 2010 to 2015. He then moved to the club of the coastal city of Guayaquil in 2016 and won two league titles there. The defender also had a brief spell at Brazil's Fluminense in 2022. Ecuadorian media reported the incident took place in the region of Samanes in the north end of Guayaquil, which lies 265 kilometers (165 miles) southwest of the capital Quito."

"Ecuador is expected to have its most violent year on record with more than 9,000 homicides, according to the Ecuadorian Observatory of Organized Crime. That figure was at 7,063 violent deaths last year and a then-record 8,248 in 2023. President Daniel Noboa has pledged to fight criminal organizations that have expanded their operations in Ecuadorian territory in connection with international drug cartels."

Mario Pineida, a 33-year-old Barcelona de Guayaquil defender, was shot dead in Guayaquil; another person was killed and a third wounded. Ecuador's Interior Ministry confirmed Pineida's death without providing details. Pineida began his professional career at Independiente del Valle (2010–2015), moved to Barcelona de Guayaquil in 2016, won two league titles, and had a brief spell at Brazil's Fluminense in 2022. The shooting occurred in the Samanes region in northern Guayaquil. Ecuador is expected to register more than 9,000 homicides this year, up from 7,063 last year and 8,248 in 2023. President Daniel Noboa has pledged to fight criminal organizations linked to international drug cartels, and recent months have seen multiple football-related shooting deaths.

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