“Ecuador Faces Unprecedented Wave of Violence as Drug Trafficking Soars”
In the past year, Ecuador has experienced a surge in drug-related crimes, with a record-breaking 210 tons of drugs seized and at least 4,500 murders reported. This increase in violence has been fueled by foreign cartels and gangs partnering with local criminal groups and prison gangs, turning the once peaceful nation into a battlefield.
Ecuador, situated between major cocaine producers Colombia and Peru, has long served as an exit point for illicit drugs heading to North America and Europe. However, Colombia’s booming coca leaf cultivation has led to a rise in cocaine production, making Ecuador an attractive hub for drug manufacturing and distribution.
The violence initially began within the country’s prisons, which saw a rapid increase in population due to stricter drug-related penalties and pretrial detentions. However, the government’s loss of control over the prison system allowed criminals to establish operational bases for drug trafficking. Major cartels such as Mexico’s Sinaloa and Jalisco Nueva Generación, along with the Albanian mafia, have taken advantage of Ecuador’s laxity and expanded their operations within the country.
The drug trade primarily relies on the transportation of cocaine and coca paste from Colombia and Peru through Ecuadorian ports. Despite authorities’ efforts, only 20% of the approximately 300,000 containers leaving the busy port city of Guayaquil are inspected, providing ample opportunities for drug smugglers.
The consequences of the drug trade have been devastating for Ecuadorian society. Neighborhoods have become consumed by criminal feuds, and children as young as 13 are being forcibly recruited by criminal groups. The violence has traumatized the population, and the once prosperous country has experienced a decline in economic opportunities, aggravated by the ongoing pandemic.
President Guillermo Lasso has declared several states of emergency and deployed the army to maintain security in schools and businesses. However, extortion has become a new source of income for criminal groups, targeting businesses, community leaders, and essential service providers.
The violence has also penetrated the government, with officials being co-opted by criminal groups and journalists, prosecutors, and human rights activists facing intimidation or silence for investigating or exposing crime and corruption.
As Ecuador prepares for upcoming elections, the country stands at a political crossroads. The future leader must address the escalating violence and focus on combating crime to restore peace and stability to Ecuadorian society.
Law enforcement agencies have been conducting nightly raids in high-violence areas to combat crime. However, many believe what Ecuador truly needs is a leader who will prioritize crime prevention and take decisive action to dismantle the drug trafficking networks plaguing the country.