Ecuador's Turmoil Unveiled: Exploring the Causes of Chaos
Ecuador's escalating security crisis reached new heights as criminal groups boldly targeted significant institutions, such as a TV station and a university, in a brazen display of power against the government
Ecuador's security situation took a turn for the worse this week, as armed gunmen with explosives stormed a TV station during a live broadcast. The country has been hit by a series of violent incidents, including bombings, police kidnappings, and prison riots, leaving authorities struggling to maintain control.
The immediate trigger was the prison escape of one of Ecuadors most powerful drug lords but instability has been growing for years. Heres what we know.
Soldiers in the Ecuadorean capital Quito.
Rodrigo Buendia/AFP/Getty Images
Why is Ecuador so violent?
Ecuador, known for the Galapagos islands and a thriving tourist-friendly dollar economy, was previously labeled as an "island of peace," situated between two of the biggest cocaine producers in the world, Peru and Colombia.
Ecuador's extensive ports have positioned it as a critical stop for cocaine en route to the United States and Europe, while its dollarized economy serves as an attractive destination for money laundering by traffickers. This has led to collaborations between Ecuadorian gangs and various foreign syndicates, including Mexican cartels, Brazilian urban gangs, and Albanian mafia cells, contributing to the ongoing conflict.
Rival criminal organizations in the country have been demonstrating brutal and often public displays of violence, as they vie for control of drug trafficking routes in the streets and prisons. The prison system in Ecuador has been a prevalent stage for violence, as security forces have continuously grappled with gangs inside overcrowded prisons. Inmates frequently seize control of penitentiary branches and operate criminal networks from behind bars, as reported by Ecuadorian authorities.
And security and state forces have been badly unprepared for the rise of criminal groups in the country, lacking proper equipment, training and strategy.
Security forces on patrol in Quito.
Rodrigo Buendia/AFP/Getty Images
Corruption allegations have also surrounded Ecuador's justice and security system. In 2022, high-ranking officers of Ecuadorian state security forces, as well as judges and lawyers, had their visas withdrawn by the US due to alleged links to drug trafficking. Despite former President Guillermo Lasso's implementation of several states of emergencies in response to the deteriorating security situation, the measures did little to curb the violence.
Lasso's popularity plummeted due to widespread dissatisfaction with the increasing crime rates, leading him to announce snap elections on August 20, 2023. The violence during the campaign took on a clear political undertone, as demonstrated by the killings of presidential hopeful Fernando Villavicencio and other local politicians. This highlighted the use of violence by organized crime groups in an effort to sway policy decisions.
The new President Daniel Noboa won last years run-off vote on a promise to tackle soaring crime, but now faces a crisis.
What triggered this weeks flare up?
This week's violence can be traced back to the recent prison escape of the notorious gang leader Adolfo "Fito" Macías in Guayaquil. Macías leads Los Choneros, a feared gang in Ecuador known for its involvement in drug trafficking to Mexico and the United States, where they collaborate with the Sinaloa cartel and the Oliver Sinisterra Front in Colombia, as reported by the InSight Crime research center.
Fito received a 34-year prison sentence in 2011 for drug trafficking and murder, as reported by Reuters.
Following the escape, Noboa announced a nationwide state of emergency and mobilized over 3,000 police officers and armed forces to locate MacÃas.
After Fito's escape and the declaration, the prison agency in Ecuador documented incidents occurring in at least six prisons across various provinces on Sunday. Subsequently, criminal groups launched a series of violent attacks as a demonstration of their power, aimed at dissuading any attempts to curb their illicit operations.
At least eight individuals lost their lives in Guayaquil, the largest city in Ecuador and known for being one of the most dangerous. Additionally, a number of police officers have been taken captive.
Law enforcement authorities have apprehended 13 suspects in connection with the attack on the police station. Firearms and grenades were recovered during the arrests.
Police outside a prison in Cuenca, Ecuador, where inmates were holding guards hostage on Monday.
Fernando Machado/AFP/Getty Images
Whats the government doing in response?
Noboa has announced an "internal armed conflict" in the nation, directing security forces to "neutralize" multiple criminal groups accused of promoting severe violence.
The state of emergency will be in effect for 60 days and enforces a curfew from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m., Noboa disclosed on Monday, stating that it gives security forces "full political and legal backing for their operations."
Noboa also said he had authorized security forces to retake control of the restive prison system, which he said "has been lost in recent years."
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Ecuador declares internal armed conflict as gunmen take over live TV broadcast
Admiral Jaime Vela Erazo, leader of Ecuador's Joint Command of the Armed Forces, stated on Tuesday that they will not waver or engage in negotiations with armed groups, emphasizing that the "future of our country is on the line."
"We are designating every terrorist group specified in the recent [emergency] decree as military targets," he declared.
The situation has also sparked concern throughout the region.
Neighboring Colombia and Peru have expressed concern over the situation and support for Noboas government to restore order.
Peruvian officials have announced their intention to declare a state of emergency along the entire northern border with Ecuador. The country's interior minister has instructed the National Police to bolster security efforts along the border, as confirmed by the interior ministry.
Meanwhile, a US State Department official stated that the United States is prepared to offer support to the government of Ecuador and stands in solidarity with the Ecuadorian people. This statement was made on X.
CNNs Tara John, Ana MarÃa Cañizares, Abel Alvarado, Michael Rios, Karol Suarez, Chris Lau and AnneClaire Stapleton contributed to this report.
