GUAYAQUIL — Carlos Alberto Suástegui Villanueva died in a shootout outside the José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport in Guayaquil. The incident occurred in the international traveler exit area leading to the parking lot at the airport.

Minister of the Interior of Ecuador John Reimberg issued a statement regarding Villanueva. Reimberg said, "Carlos Alberto Suástegui Villanueva, ecuatoriano de 39 años, cabecilla de Los Águilas en el cantón El Triunfo y considerado de alto riesgo, es un OBJETIVO CRIMINAL PRIORIZADO, registra 4 antecedentes policiales, 3 detenciones, 2 registros como persona privada de libertad y 3 reportes como sospechoso en partes policiales." The National Police, with support from the Strategic Intelligence Center, intervened following the shootout.

Police isolated two minors born in 2010 and 2011. "La Policía Nacional, en conjunto con el CNI neutralizó inmediatamente a DOS MENORES DE EDAD (nacidos en 2010 y 2011) y que fueron aislados (detenidos) en flagrancia. En el lugar se incautaron dos armas de fuego." Reimberg added. The area where the incident occurred and its surrounding zones were secured following the event.

The shootout took place a day after President Daniel Noboa decreed a new state of exception for grave internal commotion in ten provinces and three municipalities, including Guayaquil. The state of exception remains in effect for 60 days and covers Guayas province. The new decree was issued 16 days after the expiration of the previous state of exception. President Noboa declared an internal armed conflict in January 2024 and has since issued successive states of exception with varying geographic scopes.

Villanueva faced prior police investigations for illicit association in 2015, a 2018 case that resulted in a sentence, murder in 2019, and possession of unauthorized weapons in 2022. He also faced legal proceedings for driving under the influence in 2025. According to the decree, the state of exception authorizes security forces to intervene to ensure internal protection, maintain public order and citizen security, and address criminal activity.