Ecuador in the stranglehold of drug gangs: “The scale of the violence is enormous” Oil, gas and coal will soon be trumped by renewable energy sources

Ecuador is located between Colombia and Peru, the two largest cocaine producers in the world. The country has long been considered an ‘island of peace’ in the conflict-ridden region. But the Andean country is now sinking into a spiral of violence.

The background is complex – but it all revolves around cocaine.

The South American country has developed in recent years into a hub for the global drug trade and is now in the stranglehold of the cartels.

From Sinaloa to the Albanian mafia – Ecuador is home to the most powerful cartels. “We are no longer dealing with ordinary criminals, but with the largest drug cartels in the world,” Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso said last year.

The Andean country with its 18 million inhabitants, which once had the lowest murder rate in Latin America, now complains of ten to twenty murders a day.

A battle for power and money ensues between the rival gangs, which takes place in the middle of the street. Public shootings, kidnappings, thefts and violent crimes occur again and again. Overcrowded prisons have become a breeding ground for crime. Rivalry takes place behind bars and violent clashes are common.

Amid the gang violence, presidential elections took place. Presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio declared war on drug trafficking and was shot dead in the street.

What is the security situation in the country two months after the attack? And what hope do residents have in the newly elected President Daniel Noboa, son of the richest man in the country? A conversation with local journalist Geovanny Espinosa.

Ecuador is in a state of alarm. How can you imagine that? What restrictions are there?
Geovanny Espinosa: Crime has increased alarmingly in the past three years. This has meant that Ecuador is no longer the “island of peace” it once was. This is largely due to the fact that criminal groups linked to the drug trade have come to Ecuador and committed violent crimes never before seen in this country.

Do people still dare to leave their homes?
In most cities, people are still going about their normal business, but many businesses have closed for fear of crime. Nightclubs and bars are also closing due to declining customer numbers and crime.

So the streets are almost deserted at night?
People try to go out as little as possible and avoid dangerous places or areas at night. In view of the crime wave, people have become more vigilant. For example, you don’t see people walking around on the street with their smartphones.

Are you still safe within your own four walls?
You are safest at home, that is where you can best protect yourself. Violent deaths usually don’t just happen in families, but in families that are somehow involved in the drug trade. But general crime, such as home and car thefts, has also increased, especially in poorer neighborhoods.

What does your daily life look like at the moment? Can you work without restrictions?
I am a communicator and journalist and do my job normally. But I have become more attentive when I walk down the street or get on the bus.

Discussion arose about whether the possession of civilian weapons when leaving the home should be allowed.
The government has looked into a law that would allow citizens to carry weapons, but at the moment this is not the case. It is the new president’s job to develop laws that serve to protect citizens and fight crime.

Is it true that the gangs now control the country and not the government?
Criminal gangs have taken over the streets, largely due to the mediocre and poorly funded criminal justice system and the hesitant approach of the police. This means that there is no public policy from the government to effectively combat crime.

Where is the situation the worst?
The most dangerous areas are the coastal provinces, especially Esmeraldas, Guayas and Manabí. The situation is less worrying in Quito, the country’s capital, but because it is a large city, crime and violence have also increased there.

Where does the rivalry between criminal groups take place? In the middle of the street? In the middle of the day?
On the streets, in prisons, at any time.

Photos show dismembered body parts lying on the street where children play.
Yes, the scale of the violence is enormous. Criminals are willing to kill people for a cell phone.

Have you or those around you ever experienced dangerous situations?
There were smaller, non-violent robberies.

How much confidence is there in the police and the judiciary?
The legal system is in shambles, people do not trust the judicial authorities because there are always cases of bribery. The judges take no action and the legal system is inefficient. The police are limited in the use of force and weapons and there is corruption within the institution. As a result, people have also lost confidence in the police.

Can the media report independently?
There is a good level of information, although the government and its institutions provide little information. Digital news feeds play a major role in this.

Isn't there a lot of fake news in circulation?
There is a lot of fake news circulating, especially during the last election campaign. Attempts were made to discredit politicians with photos, cars and videos created by artificial intelligence. False articles about violent acts committed by criminal gangs are rare.

What are people most afraid of?
There are fears that the government will no longer be able to control the situation and that criminal groups will take total control of the country. This is the biggest challenge for the new president, Daniel Noboa.

What do you think of the new president? Do you think he will be able to get the problems under control?
It is difficult to regain total control, but Daniel Noboa must urgently implement a strategy and security plan that can reduce crime and dismantle the drug trade.