An Ecuadoran judge was fatally shot while traveling by car to a gym in the southwestern city of Machala, authorities said, marking what officials called a serious attack against justice during a period of heightened violence linked to organized crime.
Lady Pachar was killed on May 11 as she made her way to a fitness facility in El Oro province, which borders Peru. Her two bodyguards were not accompanying her at the time of the shooting, according to police in Machala, the provincial capital.
Background
Ecuador has been grappling with escalating violence as drug cartels and criminal organizations battle for control over trafficking routes. President Daniel Noboa declared a state of emergency to combat organized crime, deploying soldiers on streets and in prisons while launching operations against suspected criminal strongholds.
The killing drew immediate condemnation from Ecuador's Judicial Council, which issued a statement calling Pachar's death "a serious attack against justice and the rule of law in Ecuador." The council emphasized that the judiciary cannot function under intimidation or violence.
The Investigation
A police source told AFP that Pachar had received threats prior to the attack. Authorities believe she was killed in retaliation for her role in releasing gang members from custody, a motive that underscores the extreme pressure facing judges and prosecutors across the country.
At least 16 judges or prosecutors have been killed in Ecuador since 2022, according to Human Rights Watch data. The pattern of violence has raised alarms about the ability of the judicial system to operate independently amid widespread corruption and criminal influence.
The Ecuadoran Judges' Association condemned the murder on social media, posting: "Without independent judges, there is no justice." The statement reflected widespread fears within the legal community about escalating threats from drug trafficking organizations.
Key Takeaways
- Lady Pachar was shot dead in Machala while heading to a gym; her two bodyguards were not with her at the time
- Police believe she was targeted for releasing gang members, and had received prior threats
- At least 16 judges or prosecutors have been killed in Ecuador since 2022
- The killing occurred during a state of emergency declared by President Daniel Noboa to combat organized crime
- Approximately 70 percent of cocaine produced by Colombia and Peru transits through Ecuador
What's Next
Ecuadorian authorities continue investigating Pachar's killing, working to identify and apprehend those responsible. The case is expected to intensify scrutiny on judicial security measures in a country where court officials face routine threats from criminal organizations. President Noboa has made combating drug traffickers a central plank of his administration, deploying military forces alongside police operations targeting suspected gang strongholds.