Xinhua reported citing the FGE, that the victims were shot near the town of San Gil, where two vehicles were found containing firearms and ammunition.

Criminal violence has rebounded since the expiration of a 90-day state of emergency with a curfew, designed to help authorities tackle crime.

Five people, including an underage child, were murdered in an armed attack in the Cristo del Consuelo neighborhood of the southwest city of Guayaquil on April 11, one of the most violent attacks in the country.

Early on April 7, the government declared the country was in an "internal armed conflict" and ordered the military to participate in operations against organized armed groups classified as "terrorists."

AMK/PR