Guayaquil, Ecuador – The Silueta X Association is calling for maximum speed and rigor in the investigation into the violent murder of Walter Daniel Guerrero Ponce (33), a gay man and public servant for the El Guabo Municipal GAD. Guerrero was tragically found dead in his home in the 15 de Agosto citadel in El Guabo Canton, El Oro province, on November 12, 2025. Preliminary police reports indicate the victim was strangled and showed possible signs of torture, underscoring the extreme brutality of the crime.
The Pattern of Anti-Gay Violence
Daniel Guerrero was a recognized professional in the Municipality’s systems department and was open about his sexual orientation. Silueta X emphasized that the nature of the act (strangulation with a cable) strongly suggests a homophobic motive.
“The violence employed and the nature of the act oblige us to raise our voices: Silueta X believes there are sufficient elements to classify this event as a presumed Hate Crime due to Homophobia,” the Association stated.
The organization highlights that this is not an isolated incident but adds to a long list of crimes that expose the persistent vulnerability and danger faced by the LGBTI+ population across the country.
Immediate Demands for Justice
The Association issued several immediate demands to law enforcement and government bodies:
- Activation of Hate Crime Protocols: Silueta X formally requested the State Attorney General’s Office (Fiscalía General del Estado) to apply rigorous investigation protocols sensitive to diversity, ensuring the motive is investigated under a Hate Crime (Homophobia) focus.
- Zero Tolerance for Impunity: An urgent call was made to the National Police and the Unit for Violent Deaths (DINASED) to dedicate all necessary resources to find the perpetrators and bring them to justice immediately.
- Institutional Action: The Association called on the Ombudsman’s Office (Defensoría del Pueblo) and local El Guabo authorities to join in condemning the act and guaranteeing the safety of the diverse population in the province.
Solidarity and Vigilance
Silueta X extended its deepest condolences to Daniel’s family, friends, and colleagues, offering legal and psychological support. The organization reaffirmed its commitment to the defense of LGBTI+ human rights, concluding: “Silence makes us accomplices. No more violence!”
