Ecuadorian police have confirmed that Mario Pineida, a 33-year-old defender for Barcelona de Guayaquil and former national team player, was shot dead in Guayaquil amid rising violence in the country. Another person was killed and a third wounded in the same incident on Wednesday.
Pineida played eight matches for Ecuador, including qualifiers for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. His last appearance for the national team was at the 2021 Copa America. He began his professional career at Independiente del Valle and later played for Fluminense in Brazil before returning to Barcelona de Guayaquil.
Local media reported that Pineida was attacked by two gunmen on motorcycles in the Samanes area of northern Guayaquil. Police say the shooting also involved Pineida’s mother and another woman. Guayaquil has seen a rise in gang violence linked to drug trafficking, making the city increasingly dangerous.
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President Daniel Noboa has vowed to tackle criminal organisations connected to international drug cartels. Ecuador is on track for its most violent year on record, with over 9,000 homicides expected, following more than 7,000 last year and 8,248 in 2023. Several football players in Ecuador have been victims of gun violence in recent months.
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