DRUG WAR

IN ECUADOR

PRATHAMADITYA BHARDWAJ
AOI OGAWA
ECUADOR
• Population: 18 million people
• Ethnic Composition: Predominantly mestizo
(mixed European and indigenous heritage),
with significant indigenous and Afro-
Ecuadorian populations.
• Urbanization: Around 63% of the population
resides in urban areas, with the largest cities
being Quito, Guayaquil, and Cuenca.
In the 2019 Global Peace Index,
Ecuador was positioned 71st, denoting
a commendable level of peace.

However, by 2023, its ranking had

declined to 97th place due to increases
in violent crime and deaths from
internal conflicts.

The homicide rate has still been

increasing, and now the data shows
that it reached 44 per 100,000
inhabitants as this graph shows.
Before 2009, Ecuador served as a key ally to the United
States in combating narco-trafficking and terrorism, due to its
strategic location between Colombia and Peru.

The removal of U.S. military bases from Ecuador in 2009,

under an anti-U.S. government, led to a decline in monitoring
of drug routes and increased prevalence of gangs.

Lax border controls and ports in Ecuador became bases for

smuggling activities, with drugs and weapons entering the
country from Colombia and Peru and being shipped to
Europe and other destinations.
Gang leaders imprisoned in Ecuadorian prisons use their
positions to orchestrate various criminal activities, including
assassinations, kidnappings, and robberies.

Gangs within the prisons engage in violent conflicts over

control of drug trafficking routes, resulting in a substantial
number of deaths.

Local authorities have emphasized the urgent need for

measures to control prisons and reform the police to address
the escalating crisis.
 C U R R E N T

A F F A I R S I N

E C U A D OR
TOPIC S C OVE R E D

MEXICAN CARTEL INFLUENCE

GEOGRAPHICAL IMPORTANCE IMPACT ON ECUADOR

GOVERNMENTS RESPONSE
FOOTAGE SHOWS ARMED GANG STORMING
STUDIO LIVE ON ECUADORIAN TV STATION
 Point 1. Ecuador in a state of emergence

Point 2. The two largest cartels of mexico, the Jalisco

MEXIC AN New Generation Cartel and Sinaloa Cartel run an

outsourcing scheme.

INFLUENC Point 3. 2023 report by the United Nations Office on

E Drugs and Crime - Ecuador is the port of origin for 29%

of all coke in Western Europe
GEOGR APGIC
IMPORTANC E
 NEXT TO LARGEST
PRODUCERS OF COKE
LARGEST EXPORTER OF
BANANAS + USES $ $
GEO-IMP ATTRACTIVE FOR
CARTELS
B A N A N A S FILLED W ITH
C O K E A N D TR A FFIC K ED
C O M PETITIO N A N D
V IO LEN C E
 Point 1. Sharp rise in Homicide rates, from 6 in 100k
to 40 in 100k between 2016 and 2023.

I M PA CT ON ECUADOR
Point 2. increases local (drug) consumption and
laundering.

Point 3. A safe haven now destroyed.

 Point 1. Executive decree 111 was signed, 22 organised crime
groups recognised as terrorists.

GOVER NMENT S Point 2. Increase in search and stop operations, seizure of

R ESPONSE
contraband of all sorts and a 24 hour police presence.

Point 3. Freedom of assembly, Inviolability of domicile,

Inviolability of correspondence, Freedom of transit, no longer
applicable.
T H A N K Y O U