Los Choneros is an organized crime syndicate and drug cartel based in the city of Guayaquil, Ecuador, with a notable presence along much of the country's coastline.
On 9 January 2024, an armed conflict in Ecuador broke out after gangleader José Villamar escaped from prison and around 30 top officials were arrested by an anti-corruption and drug trafficking operation.
[4] The country's government declared a situation of inner war against several organized crime groups, most notably Los Choneros.
Bismark, along with family members, friends, and criminal associates, collectively Los Choneros, including the gang's future leader, Jorge Luis Zambrano, then a Los Choneros hitman, murdered Vera's brother and son, Jhonny Verdy Cedeño Vera and Cristhian Jonathan Cedeño Briones.
[7] Los Choneros is believed to work as the armed wing of Sinaloa Cartel within Ecuador.