On Monday, Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa stated that his country was “in a state of war” with criminal groups responsible for taking prison officers as hostages. Additionally, he maintained that Ecuador is embroiled in an internal armed conflict and is fighting for peace against these criminal factions.
Earlier in that week, Noboa had declared a sixty day state of emergency following the escape of Adolfo Macías, leader of one of the most powerful gangs in Ecuador, from prison. This event led to a series of violent attacks across the country including prison riots. As an effect, the state of emergency has wrought the suspension of the right of assembly, and bestowed the army with the power to control internal security.
Next, Noboa announced that the country was in an “internal armed conflict” against groups associated with Macías after armed gunmen took hostages on live TV. Further, he issued an executive order to classify 22 organized crime groups as “terrorist organizations and belligerent non-state actors.”
On Wednesday, the President insisted that Ecuador’s government was actively fighting the escalating violence and insecurity in the nation, designating these organized crime groups as military targets and stating the government’s intention to confront them as terrorists. In addition to this, Noboa highlighted the need for increased governmental transparency and alignment with international allies, stating that judges complicit in their dealings with these criminal groups would face prosecution.
Ecuador’s struggle with increasing violence has been ongoing since 2020. On January 3rd, the President announced plans for a national referendum to enforce stricter anti-crime laws and bolster security measures to combat the country’s rising crime rates. A UN Special Rapporteur expressed concern in August 2023 regarding violence towards justice officials in Ecuador, urging for sufficient protection for these representatives of the law.
This escalating conflict within Ecuador serves as a stark reminder of the challenge that criminal organizations pose to national security and legal order.
For more details on the ongoing situation in Ecuador, visit ‘Ecuador president claims country is at war with criminal groups amid surge in violence‘.