Ecuador is engaged in a battle against drug gangs: Informs President

On Wednesday, President Daniel Noboa of Ecuador asserted that his country is currently in a state of conflict with drug gangs, who have taken prison guards hostage. This follows a significant escalation in violence, marked by an incident where armed individuals briefly seized control of a live TV broadcast and multiple explosions occurring in various cities.
On Tuesday, President Noboa officially designated 22 gangs as terrorist organizations, thereby designating them as legitimate military targets. Having assumed office in November, the president has been committed to addressing a growing security crisis attributed to the proliferation of drug-trafficking gangs utilizing Ecuador as a conduit for cocaine transportation.
In an interview with Canela Radio on Wednesday, President Noboa stated, “We are engaged in a conflict, and we must not yield to these terrorist groups.” He estimated that approximately 20,000 members of criminal gangs are currently active within Ecuador.
On Wednesday, the capital city of Quito and the port city of Guayaquil exhibited an unusual tranquility, marked by the closure or remote operations of numerous businesses and the suspension of educational institutions.
The impetus for this subdued atmosphere stems from the recent hostage incidents involving over 130 prison guards and staff that commenced in the early hours of Monday. Moreover, the purported escape of Adolfo Macias, the leader of the Los Choneros gang, from prison over the weekend prompted the declaration of a 60-day state of emergency by Noboa.
On Tuesday, the incumbent administration intensified its measures in response to a series of explosive incidents across the nation and the forcible takeover of the TC television station by unidentified individuals donning balaclavas, which was broadcasted live.
President Noboa affirmed that exhaustive endeavors are underway to secure the release of hostages
Armed forces commander Jaime Vela disclosed during a press conference on Wednesday evening that a total of 329 individuals, predominantly affiliated with criminal gangs such as Los Choneros, Los Lobos, and Los Tiguerones, have been apprehended since the commencement of the state of emergency.
Vela asserted that there have been no reported fatalities among the hostages, addressing inquiries regarding distressing videos disseminated on social media depicting severe violence against prison personnel, such as shootings and hangings.
Reuters has not been able to promptly corroborate the veracity of these videos.
The recent surge in violence has been attributed by the government to be a reaction to Noboa’s proposal to construct new high-security prisons intended for gang leaders. Noboa conveyed to a radio station that details regarding the design of two forthcoming facilities will be disclosed tomorrow.
Vela, in response to the evolving situation, stated, “Things are crystallizing, but it is imperative to acknowledge that such endeavours cannot be implemented overnight
According to the SNAI prisons agency report, 125 are guards, and 14 are administrative staff, and eleven individuals were successfully liberated on Tuesday.
A journalist, previously held hostage during the takeover of the TC station, shared with Reuters in an interview that the encounter was notably “surreal.”
PRISONER REPATRIATIONS
Noboa has announced the initiation of the deportation of foreign prisoners, with a particular focus on individuals from Colombia, this week. This measure is intended to alleviate prison populations and associated expenditures.
According to Noboa, there are approximately 1,500 Colombian nationals currently incarcerated in Ecuador, and individuals from Colombia, Peru, and Venezuela collectively constitute 90% of the foreign prison population.
Noboa emphasized that the financial resources allocated to maintaining these 1,500 individuals surpass the funding dedicated to school breakfast programs for children. Importantly, Noboa clarified that the deportation process is not tantamount to extradition, but rather is grounded in pre-existing international agreements.
Colombian Justice Minister Nestor Osuna asserted that the recognition of Ecuadorean sentences in Colombia is contingent upon the formal repatriation process, duly agreed upon with Colombian authorities. In cases where Colombian prisoners are expelled, their incarceration in Colombia would only transpire if they are faced with pending charges in their home country.
A diplomatic meeting, spearheaded by Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa and Chancellor Gabriela Sommerfeld, convened in response to a surge in nationwide violence in Quito, Ecuador, on January 10, 2024, and included discussions with the diplomatic corps. The discourse centered around addressing the prevailing challenges. The related information was disseminated through Cancilleria Ecuador’s official Facebook page as a hand out, subsequently made available for licensing rights via REUTERS.
Minister Osuna articulated the government’s approach to potential expulsions, emphasizing a meticulous evaluation of the number of individuals arriving at the border and the necessity for their detention by Colombian authorities. He expressed genuine solidarity with the people of Ecuador in the face of these circumstances.
On Wednesday, the Republic of Colombia declared its intention to augment military presence and implement heightened controls along its approximately 600-kilometer (370-mile) border with the Republic of Ecuador.
Mr. Noboa asserted that the optimal approach to safeguarding the economy and foreign investments involves enhancing security measures and upholding the rule of law.
In response to the prevailing circumstances, the government deployed security forces to key ports with the objective of securing exports, including commodities such as fruit and cocoa. Simultaneously, the Ministry of Energy assured the public that the oil and mining sectors were operating under normal conditions.
Notably, the People’s Republic of China, a significant investor in Ecuador, reported the temporary closure of its embassy and consulates in light of the unfolding events. This development has added an additional layer of complexity to the situation.
Residents who ventured out in the morning conveyed a palpable sense of a return to pandemic-related lockdown measures.
A security guard in Guayaquil, Mr. Rodolfo Tuaz, aged 40, remarked on the eerie quietness of the streets and characterized the atmosphere as notably subdued, akin to the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.
LAWMAKERS BACK EFFORTS
On Tuesday, legislators voiced their endorsement for the armed forces and lent their support to the initiatives undertaken by Mr. Noboa. It is noteworthy that Mr. Noboa commands a majority coalition within the legislative body, achieved through an alliance between his party, the leftist faction led by former President Rafael Correa, and a Christian political entity.
Mr. Noboa, addressing the issue of the decrees on Wednesday, remarked, “I do not presently require their acknowledgement for our ongoing endeavors, but I have sought their endorsement.”
According to a communication from consulting firm Teneo, “The real challenge for Mr. Noboa is to keep sustained progress in the campaign against criminal activities, extending beyond the immediate military-driven pacification measures.”
In pursuit of diplomatic engagements, Mr. Noboa convened with the U.S. ambassador on Tuesday afternoon and held discussions with other diplomatic representatives on the subsequent Wednesday.
The United States has committed to providing expeditious assistance, as stated by Noboa. His $800 million security initiative encompasses a $200 million allocation for weaponry procurement from the United States.
In response to recent criminal assaults perpetrated by armed factions, U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan expressed condemnation on Wednesday. Sullivan conveyed the United States’ willingness to undertake substantive measures to enhance collaborative efforts with the government of Ecuador.
Peruvian Defense Minister Jorge Chavez informed the media that an investigation is underway in his country to examine potential instances of smuggling involving members of the armed forces. This investigation specifically focuses on the alleged transfer of explosives and grenades, suspected to have been utilized by criminal organizations in Ecuador. An audit conducted over the preceding six months revealed a plausible scenario wherein certain munitions may have become unaccounted for or missing.
Vela conveyed an inability to definitively verify the origin of the weapons employed in the takeover of the TC station.
Law enforcement authorities have reported the abduction of a total of nine police officers in recent days, with three individuals still under captivity. One officer was forcibly taken from Quito, while two others remain detained in Canar prison.
General Cesar Zapata, the national police commander, announced the demise of five individuals identified as “terrorists” in the province of Esmeraldas. However, specific details regarding this incident were not expounded during the press conference.
The police force is currently engaged in the process of ascertaining the identities of three individuals discovered within a charred vehicle south of Guayaquil during the night. Additionally, two police officers fell victim to lethal attacks perpetrated by armed assailants on Tuesday in the province of Guayas, wherein the city of Guayaquil is situated.