Infighting between factions of a gang vying for control over territory in Ecuador's largest city Guayaquil left nearly two dozen people dead, authorities said on Friday. Gun battles broke out across the northern neighborhood of Nueva Prosperina on Thursday afternoon between members of criminal group Los Tiguerones,

Rival factions of drug trafficking gang fight over territory in port city of Guayaquil before a presidential election.

The government of President Daniel Noboa, who is running for reelection in an April run-off, has intensified security operations over the past several weeks in the country’ most violent areas as part of a war on drug gangs declared by Noboa.

A violent clash between gang factions in Ecuador's Guayaquil resulted in nearly two dozen fatalities. The conflict erupted as Los Tiguerones fought over territory. Authorities responded with extensive searches and arrests.

The toll was reported by the local police chief, Herbie Guamani, and a police source said the gunfight involved opposing factions of a gang called Los Tigerones, one of the most powerful in this formerly peaceful country.

Gang infighting has left nearly two dozen people dead in Guayaquil, Ecuador's largest city. 14 people were arrested in the aftermath of the Thursday skirmish.

Twenty two people were killed in gun battles in Ecuador's largest city Guayaquil, in what police said was a potential dispute between factions of the Los Tiguerones criminal gang fighting for control of parts of one neighborhood.