British Man Burned Alive in Ecuador After Fatal Shooting Incident
Above: A patrol car in Guayaquil, Ecuador on March 14, 2025. Image copyright: MARCOS PIN/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
Rather than community justice, what is alleged to have occurred is vigilantism at its worst. The untimely death of the suspect not only robs a man of a fair trial but will complicate the investigation into the tragic death of Rodrigo Chavez.
Narrative B
Under Article 171 of the Ecuadorian constitution, Indigenous communities can exercise justice based on their ancestral traditions and laws. Lynching and murder, however, remain crimes under the Comprehensive Organic Criminal Code, and this instance will be properly investigated.