SUMMARY

Los Lobos and Los Saobox were two criminal gangs active in Ecuador. Until May 2024, Los Saobox operated under the umbrella of Los Lobos, the larger and more established organization. That month, in Camilo Ponce Enríquez region of Azuay province, a faction led by alias “Saoco” and alias “Boxeador” attempted to take over Los Lobos’ illegal mining operations, sparking an open conflict between the two groups. The violence quickly escalated, with numerous killings often featuring brutal acts of violence such as dismemberment and decapitation.

Los Saobox expanded into the neighboring province of El Oro, dominanted by Los Lobos, and established a presence around the city of Machala. The territorial proximity between the two rival groups resulted in a series of contract killings, kidnappings, and massacres in public places including restaurants, malls, and residential areas.

The non-state conflict between Los Lobos and Los Saobox was first recorded in UCDP data in 2025. As of March that year, the fighting had resulted in more than 25 battle-related deaths.