Ecuador’s once peaceful landscape is now marked by escalating gang violence, prompting President Daniel Noba to declare an “armed internal conflict” and declare a state of emergency.
The recent unrest, sparked by the escape of notorious gang leader Adolfo Macías Villamar, has seen unprecedented acts of violence, including attacks on a television studio by armed assailants.
The crisis unfolded on January 7 when police tried to transfer “Fito” from La Regional prison to the supposedly safer La Roca. However, Fito was alerted and escaped, sparking riots in several prisons across Ecuador.
The power dynamics in these prisons, dominated by rival gangs, create an unstable environment that often leads to deadly conflicts.
Ecuador’s geographic location between the major cocaine-producing countries of Colombia and Peru makes it an attractive transit point for drug traffickers.
Transnational criminal groups, including Mexican cartels and Balkan gangs, use Ecuador’s large ports on the Pacific coast, contributing to the growth of organized crime.
In response to the escalating violence, President Noboa declared a state of emergency and authorized the deployment of armed forces to restore order.
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A nationwide curfew was imposed, giving the police extensive search powers to deal with the security crisis.
Defying the state of emergency, gangs retaliated by kidnapping a policeman and making threatening statements.
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, President Noboa declared an “armed internal conflict” and designated 22 gangs as “terrorist organizations”.
He emphasized a non-negotiating stance with violent groups, signaling a determined effort to neutralize their impact.
The crisis presents a significant challenge for President Noboa, who took office just two months ago.
Elected on a promise to fight gang-related violence, he now faces the urgent task of quelling not only prison riots but also the spread of violence to the streets of Ecuador’s major cities.
The population, frightened and confined to their homes, awaits decisive action to restore order and peace.
