Daniel Noboa, Ecuador’s president, is tackling escalating drug violence by declaring a state of emergency and launching military operations against gangs like the ‘Chone Killers’ and ‘Latin Kings.’ Despite initial reductions in the murder rate, criminal organizations have adapted, leading to increased violence and public skepticism about Noboa’s effectiveness. The situation is dire, with soaring murder rates and troubling incidents of extrajudicial actions by security forces, leaving families to confront the harsh realities of life under threat.
Confronting Drug Violence in Ecuador
With a commitment to combat drug gangs, Daniel Noboa ascended to the presidency of Ecuador. Over the past year, he has implemented a state of emergency in response to escalating violence, as he seeks re-election amid ongoing turmoil.
Military Action Against Gangs
The sound of a battering ram echoes as it breaks through a thin concrete wall. Dressed in full combat gear, special forces from both the police and military launch an operation against drug and arms traffickers in a suburban neighborhood of Durán, situated along the Guayas River. The two dominant gangs in this area, known as the ‘Chone Killers’ and ‘Latin Kings,’ engage in crimes such as drug smuggling, extortion, and contract killings. The military commander notes that these gangs are in fierce competition for territorial control.
Durán, an industrial city directly across from Guayaquil, has become notorious for its high murder rate, marking it as one of the deadliest locales in the Americas. It has transformed into a critical hub for the trafficking of cocaine from Colombia and Peru, catering to increasing demand in Europe.
In response, Ecuadorians are taking a stand, voting in a referendum to adopt a more stringent approach to combat the rising gang violence plaguing their communities.
Noboa’s Promises and Challenges
During a visit to Durán in July 2023, President Noboa, clad in a bulletproof vest and surrounded by heavily armed bodyguards, asserted, ‘We are not afraid. We owe nothing to anyone!’ He vowed to eliminate the mafia’s influence, declaring that the days of organized crime were numbered. As the son of Ecuador’s wealthiest banana magnate, Noboa stepped into the role of interim president during a political crisis, promising to tackle the rampant violence.
Faced with unprecedented challenges, Noboa labeled the gangs as ‘narco-terrorists,’ deploying military forces onto the streets and into prisons while initiating corruption investigations against various officials. His strategy yielded a nearly 20% drop in the murder rate initially.
However, reports indicate that the power of gangs and cartels remains unbroken. Renato Rivera, a researcher from the Organized Crime Observatory, states that criminal organizations have adapted to the militarized environment, leading to further fragmentation and heightened violence.
As Noboa campaigns for re-election, he distributes life-sized cardboard cutouts of himself, asserting that safety has improved under his leadership. However, critics argue that his approach has only resulted in a greater spectacle rather than effective crime reduction, highlighting the troubling reality of escalating violence.
With 750 murders reported in January 2025 alone, Ecuador is grappling with a surge in violence, extortion, and kidnappings. A man known as Marcos Ramirez details the grim realities of life on the streets, where criminal organizations are forced to adapt to increased military presence and demand bribes for their operations.
As the country faces an alarming crisis, cases of violent disappearances and extrajudicial actions by security forces are emerging. The tragic deaths of four young boys, wrongfully detained by military personnel, have sparked outrage and investigations into potential misconduct.
With Ecuador mired in both security and economic crises, Noboa’s promises continue to be met with skepticism as families like that of Ronny Medina, who lost his son to violence, grapple with the harsh realities of life in a nation struggling to regain stability.