The first major incident was an attack against law enforcement in San Lorenzo, which unleashed a wave of violence on the northern coast of the country.

[1] When the drug traffickers were pressured by the Colombian government, they decided to migrate to other territories in neighbouring countries where they already had a sporadic presence, their main destinations were Ecuador and Peru.

[1] According to InSight Crime, the closure of the base serving the United States Armed Forces in Manta during the Rafael Correa government in 2009 was a key factor in the increase in criminal actions by armed groups since the American presence reportedly served as a deterrent so foreign gangs were expected to have increased influence in the drug business in Ecuador.

[4] The demobilization of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia – People's Army (FARC-EP) did not end all its military actions as its dissidents went from being an ideologized guerrilla into criminal gangs with heterogeneous objectives, entering Ecuador in alliances with local groups, Mexican Mafias and cartels.

[1][2] The FARC-EP dissidents are concentrated mostly in north-eastern Ecuador, with the Oliver Sinisterra Front having its own interests and the Urías Rondón Mobile Column being affiliated with the CJNG.

[2] The Foundation for Peace and Reconciliation–Pares of Colombia notified that the National Liberation Army (ELN) also operates in Ecuadorian territory, including the following gangs of diverse origin: La Empresa, Gente del Orden, Guerrillas Unidas del Pacífico, Los Negritos, Los Mexicanos, Nuevo Grupo, Peasant Resistance, Steven Gonzáles Front and illegal mining.