With its lengthy coastline and proximity to coca-producing areas, Ecuador is the latest Latin American country to become a hub of drug trafficking plagued by rising violent crime. Murder rates have climbed over the last half-decade, and the country has recorded more homicides in 2022 than in any previous year. Successive presidents have tried to curb the trend, some with aggressive policing and others with a mix of security and socio-economic reform policies aimed at dimming the allure of illicit livelihoods. Through advocacy and periodic reporting, Crisis Group works to promote the latter approach to crime prevention, which has a better record of reducing violence throughout the region.
Spiking violence in Ecuador has led recently-inaugurated President Daniel Noboa to declare an “internal armed conflict” with criminal groups. In this Q&A, Crisis Group expert Glaeldys González explains how the South American country arrived at this point and the potential consequences of the government’s crackdown.
Violence persisted in drug-trafficking hotspots along Pacific Coast, prompting stepped-up regional cooperation on organised crime.
Efforts to tackle criminal violence persisted. President Noboa 2 July decreed state of exception in six provinces and one municipality with high levels of criminal violence, 17 July announced major security operation in canton of Durán, Guayas province. Security forces 3 July rescued 49 miners kidnapped by Los Lobos gang in Azuay province. In spate of killings targeting public officials, gunmen 2 July killed former Portoviejo mayoral candidate in Manabí province; 8 July killed district authority in El Oro province; and 10 July killed official from Santa Elena province’s Public Prosecutor’s Office. Meanwhile, National Assembly 8 July reformed penal code, notably introducing tougher sentences for crimes like drug and arms trafficking.
Authorities suspended judicial personnel in corruption probe. Judicial Council 5 July suspended seven judges and one secretary from three provincial courts as part of “Plaga” investigation into high-level ties between organised crime and judiciary.
Quito signed deals with foreign partners to boost cooperation on organised crime. Govt and EU 3 July inaugurated “Europol Unit of the National Police of Ecuador”, aimed at better coordinating efforts to tackle transnational organised crime. Noboa and Peruvian President Boluarte 4 July signed agreement to strengthen bilateral relations, with emphasis on security and defence. European judicial coordination agency Eurojust 10 July signed working arrangements with Ecuador, as well as Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica and Peru, aimed at enhancing strategic cooperation in fight against organised crime.
Political misrule in Ecuador paled in comparison to what you saw … in Peru, and now Ecuador seems far worse off than Peru and Colombia in terms of basic human security.
Can an Election Salvage Latin America's Most Violent Country?
Ecuador’s proximity to major cocaine producers, dollarised economy and corruptible state institutions, as well as COVID-19’s devastating impact, have turned the country into Latin America’s latest hotbed of drug trafficking and other violent crime.
Ecuador has been Latin America’s most unstable democracy for a decade. Starting with the ousting of President Abdalá Bucaram by Congress and street protests in 1997, weak, temporary governments have been the rule.
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