Ecuador and its drug war
  • Ecuador, once one of Latin America’s most peaceful nations, is now grappling with a surge in violence, ranking fourth in the region’s homicide rate, surpassing even Mexico.
  • This shift occurred after the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) lost control over cocaine trafficking following a peace agreement with Colombia in 2020.
  • The resulting power void led to the migration of these networks to Ecuador, which, due to its proximity to cocaine producers Colombia and Peru, has become a significant transit point for the drug.
  • The Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated the country’s economic difficulties, creating conditions conducive for the youth and unemployed to join the drug war.
  • The Ecuadorian government attributes this to the expanding influence of cocaine trafficking gangs. The severity of the law and order situation is evident from the fact that violent deaths in 2023 nearly doubled from the previous year, reaching 8,008.
  • Despite efforts to curb it, gang-related violence in prisons has escalated, often resulting in deaths. This situation has also led many Ecuadorians to migrate to the US in pursuit of a better life.

What happened in Ecuador this week?

  • Adolfo Macías Villamar, the leader of the Los Choneros gang, has escaped from prison where he was serving a 34-year sentence.
  • This incident has caused unrest, seemingly in response to President Daniel Noboa’s attempts to combat cocaine trafficking, especially by incarcerating gang leaders in high-security prisons.
  • Additionally, seven police officers were kidnapped nationwide, with three subsequently released. An attempt to seize a TV station led to the arrest of over a dozen individuals, and several explosions were reported.

What is the government doing?

  • Ecuador’s President, Daniel Noboa, who was elected in November 2023, has introduced the “Phoenix Plan” for national security.
  • This plan includes the establishment of a new intelligence unit, the procurement of tactical weapons for security forces, the construction of high-security prisons, and enhanced security at ports and airports.
  • The plan is estimated to cost $800 million, with the United States contributing $200 million for new weapons for Ecuador’s army.
  • In response to the escalating violence, Noboa declared a 60-day state of emergency, which includes military patrols, even in prisons, and a national nighttime curfew.
  • His coalition, comprising center-left, center-right, and centrist groups, holds a majority in the National Assembly.
  • Additionally, Noboa plans to hold a referendum to propose stronger crime-fighting measures, such as asset seizure from suspected criminals and longer prison sentences.