Massacre in the Jungle

On May 9, 2025, a devastating attack on Ecuadorian soldiers shook the nation as eight members of the 19 Napo Jungle Brigade lost their lives in an armed ambush in the Alto Punino sector of Orellana province. The incident occurred during a confidential military operation targeting illegal mining activities in the region. The Ecuadorian Prosecutor’s Office has attributed the attack to the Comandos de la Frontera (CDF), a criminal group linked to former FARC dissidents from Colombia.

The ambush took place in a hotspot for organized crime, known for narcotrafficking and illegal resource extraction along the Punino River, between Orellana and Napo provinces. The military operation involved four combat teams, totaling 80 armed and equipped soldiers, conducting anti-illegal mining activities. One team fell victim to a planned and coordinated assault by the CDF, who used explosives, grenades, and rifles. The attack resulted in eleven military fatalities, one wounded soldier, and the death of one member of the attacking group.

The Comandos de la Frontera emerged after the 2016 peace agreement in Colombia, formed by dissidents of the demobilized FARC’s 48th Front. They are part of the Coordinadora Nacional Ejército Bolivariano (CNEB), linked to the fragmented Segunda Marquetalia dissident group. The CDF has been active in Ecuador since 2020, with evidence of their presence found in Sucumbíos. They are involved in narcotrafficking, illegal mining, and smuggling, often collaborating with Ecuadorian gangs like Los Lobos. The group exploits the dense Amazon jungle to evade authorities, contributing to escalating violence in the border regions of Sucumbíos and Orellana.

The Ecuadorian Prosecutor’s Office initiated immediate investigations, deploying agents to collect evidence and conduct autopsies at the attack site. They confirmed the attack’s attribution to the CDF based on preliminary findings. The Ecuadorian Army expressed its commitment to justice, while the Ministry of Defense announced plans to reinforce military presence in Orellana to prevent further incidents. As of the article’s publication, no suspects had been detained, but investigations were ongoing to identify perpetrators.

Orellana and Sucumbíos face significant threats from narcotrafficking, illegal mining, and organized crime groups. The region’s porous border with Colombia facilitates criminal operations, with dense jungles providing cover. Previous violent incidents in the area include an August 2024 attack in Joya de los Sachas, where three police officers were killed during a clash between CDF and Los Choneros, and a February 2024 military operation in Alto Punino that dismantled a CDF camp, resulting in one Colombian fatality. Illegal mining in Alto Punino has also led to significant deforestation, with 217 hectares of jungle destroyed in 2023 alone.

The CDF issued a communiqué denying responsibility for the attack, claiming they do not engage in offensive actions against military forces in Colombia or neighboring countries and citing their involvement in peace dialogues with the Colombian government. However, the ambush underscores the growing threat of transnational criminal groups in Ecuador’s Amazon region and highlights the challenges faced by Ecuadorian security forces in combating organized crime in remote, border areas.

Our missionary response to the news.

Dear brothers and sisters,

The recent tragic attack on Ecuadorian soldiers in the Alto Punino sector of Orellana province is a stark reminder of the darkness and suffering that exists in our world. As followers of Christ, our hearts break for the families who have lost loved ones and for the communities affected by violence and crime.

In the face of such senseless acts, we may feel helpless and discouraged. However, we must remember that our hope is not in the things of this world, but in the eternal love and grace of our Heavenly Father. As the Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 8:38-39, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Let us pray fervently for the families of the fallen soldiers, for the wounded, and for all those affected by this tragedy. May they find comfort, peace, and strength in the loving arms of our Savior. Let us also pray for the perpetrators of this attack, that their hearts may be softened and that they may turn away from violence and seek the path of reconciliation and redemption.

As Christians, we are called to be light in the darkness and to share the hope of the Gospel with all those around us. In times like these, it is more important than ever to demonstrate the love and compassion of Christ through our words and actions. Let us reach out to those who are hurting, offering support, encouragement, and the promise of eternal life through faith in Jesus.

May we also remember to pray for the authorities and security forces working to combat organized crime and protect vulnerable communities. We ask that God grant them wisdom, courage, and protection as they carry out their duties in challenging and dangerous circumstances.

In the midst of this tragedy, let us hold fast to the hope we have in Christ, knowing that He has overcome the world (John 16:33) and that one day, He will wipe away every tear from our eyes (Revelation 21:4). May we continue to trust in His unfailing love and to share the light of His truth with a world in desperate need of hope.

In Christ’s love,
The Downing Family