January 11, 2024: Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa declared his country “at war” with drug gangs, who are currently holding prison guards hostage. The nation has witnessed a surge in violence, marked by explosions in multiple cities and a brief takeover of a live TV broadcast by gunmen.
President Noboa, who took office in November, has named 22 gangs as terrorist organizations, designating them official military targets. This decision comes as part of his commitment to addressing the escalating security challenges posed by drug-trafficking gangs transporting cocaine through Ecuador.
“We are at war, and we cannot cede in the face of these terrorist groups,” President Noboa asserted during an interview with radio station Canela Radio on Wednesday. He estimated that around 20,000 crime gang members are currently active in Ecuador.
Following the hostage-taking of over 130 prison guards and staff, President Noboa declared a 60-day state of emergency. The situation worsened with explosions across the country and the takeover of a television station by masked gunmen during a live broadcast.
While the President emphasized efforts to rescue the prison hostages, he confirmed that no hostages had been killed, responding to distressing videos circulating on social media showing extreme violence against prison staff.
The government attributes the recent surge in violence to President Noboa’s plan to build new high-security prisons for gang leaders. The President revealed that the design for two new facilities would be made public soon.
In response to the crisis, Ecuador plans to begin deporting foreign prisoners, particularly Colombians, this week to reduce prison populations and spending. President Noboa stated that there are around 1,500 Colombians in prison in Ecuador, and prisoners from Colombia, Peru, and Venezuela constitute 90% of jailed foreigners.
The United States has pledged aid to Ecuador, with President Noboa’s $800 million security plan including $200 million worth of weapons from the United States. US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan condemned the recent criminal attacks and expressed a willingness to improve cooperation with Ecuador’s government.
As Ecuador faces these challenges, citizens have reported a return to pandemic lockdown-like conditions. The Chinese embassy and consulates temporarily shut down, reflecting concerns amid the ongoing crisis.
President Noboa’s efforts have garnered support from lawmakers, with a majority coalition in congress backing his initiatives. However, the challenge remains to achieve lasting progress in the fight against crime beyond immediate military-led pacification, as stated by consulting firm Teneo.
The situation continues to evolve, with President Noboa meeting with ambassadors and nations like Colombia increasing military presence along the Ecuadorian border. The international community closely watches Ecuador’s efforts to restore peace and security in the face of these mounting challenges.
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