- Ecuador faces internal armed conflict
- President declares state emergency
- Root issues in structural flaws
Ecuador has descended into anarchy, marked by what the new president terms an “internal armed conflict,” as a series of attacks attributed to armed gangs have claimed the lives of at least ten people.
On Monday, President Daniel Noboa, 36, declared a 60-day state of emergency and nightly curfew in response to the escape of the leader of Los Choneros, Jose Adolfo Macias, alias “Fito.” Macias was serving a 34-year sentence at La Regional prison in the coastal city of Guayaquil.
After eight people were killed and three injured in attacks in Guayaquil, gangsters unleashed a surge of terror across the country and in several overcrowded prisons, the police said late Tuesday. Two officers were “viciously murdered by armed criminals” in the nearby town of Nobol.
In retaliation, local gangs kidnapped numerous police officers, detonating explosives in multiple cities. On Tuesday, armed and hooded gang members attacked the studio of state-owned TC Television in Guayaquil with explosives and firearms. The incident unfolded as cameras rolled. The thirteen assailants were apprehended thereafter.
Guayaquil, Ecuador’s largest coastal city, is the most dangerous since its ports are used for drug smuggling.
“Authorities report at least 23 distinct violent incidents in eight provinces,” Alessandro Rampietti of Al Jazeera reported from the capital, Quito. “Among these are a number of car bombs detonating.”
“A minimum of seven police officers were abducted by gang members, and several police vehicles were set on fire,” he further stated.
Noboa’s Inaugural Security Challenge
This is the inaugural significant challenge faced by Noboa. The business magnate took office in November, promising to curb South America’s worrying rise in violence.
Noboa stated, “I have just signed a decree declaring a state of emergency to provide the armed forces with complete political and legal support for their operations.” “Organized crime, drug trafficking convicted individuals, and assassins no longer dictate policy for the government.”
The government reported 8,008 violent deaths in 2023, nearly tripling from 4,500 in 2022. Since it became a major cocaine transit point to the US and Europe, drug violence has ravaged the nation.
From 2018 to 2022, the homicide rate quadrupled, and 200 tonnes of narcotics were seized for the first time in history in 2018.
Since the economic devastation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, security in Ecuador has deteriorated.
Political analyst Adrian Perez Salazar of Ecuador blames structural faults for the nation’s crime and instability.
“Multiple causes can be identified.” “It is crucial to underscore the fact that Ecuador operates under the dollar system of currency, which inherently facilitates money laundering activities associated with international criminal organizations in the country,” he explained to Al Jazeera.
“This has been accumulating for many years due to policies that were extremely lenient regarding immigration and permitting gang leaders to establish dominance in areas like prisons… “Moreover, over the past few years, we have begun to observe the consequences of these structural issues becoming more severe.”
“Vacation of violence”
Noboa issued a decree shortly after the attack on the television station in which he acknowledged an “internal armed conflict” in Ecuador and identified several criminal gangs, including Los Choneros, as terrorist organizations and military targets.
The decree mandated the neutralization of the organizations by the armed forces.
“Today’s events demonstrate that the national government’s actions and decisions are severely affecting criminal structures; in response, they have created a wave of violence to frighten the populace,” said Admiral Jaime Vela, head of the joint command of the armed forces, on Tuesday. This statement was made following a security meeting with Noboa and other officials.
“Don’t miss out! Grab your free shares of Webull UK today!”
In response to the unrest, the Peruvian government declared a state of emergency along its Ecuadorian frontier. While Colombia, Brazil, and Chile voiced their support for the Ecuadorean government.
According to a Wednesday announcement, the Chinese embassy and consulates general in Ecuador will temporarily close. This closure will be effective from January 10 until further notice. The embassy said, “A public announcement regarding the reopening will be made in due time,” on Chinese social media.
Brian Nichols, the United States’ highest-ranking diplomat for Latin America, stated in an X post. Consequently, the United States was “extremely concerned” about the increase in violence and prepared to assist the administration of Noboa.
Rishi Sunak supports ex-Post Office CEO investigation committee
