Faced with the transnational challenges posed by organized crime and drug trafficking, Ecuador and the United States are strengthening their commitment to implement actions and cooperation programs aimed at improving the response capability of Ecuadorian authorities and guaranteeing citizen security in several areas.
One of them is to expand the skills and capabilities of the security forces to face the current challenges of urban drug trafficking. In October, for instance, service members of the Ecuadorian Armed Forces perfected their skills in the use of armored vehicles and in urban and warfare environments, with the support of the U.S. Army’s 1st Security Forces Assistance Brigade (1st SFAB), during the XVII Urban Combat Course-IV International, in Manabí province, Ecuador’s Ministry of Defense indicated.
“The most pressing institutional needs are to strengthen justice and security forces: armed forces and police,” Dr. Carla Álvarez, a professor at the School of Security and Defense of Ecuador’s Institute of Higher National Studies told Diálogo. “It’s important to strengthen capacities and hire more people who can take on the workload faced by the justice and security forces.”
To further boost this synergy between the two countries, focused on a safer and more stable hemisphere, the United States confirmed the donation of an additional $25 million to provide technical assistance, strengthen the capabilities, and equip Ecuadorian security and justice institutions, the U.S. Embassy indicated.
“We are convinced that security challenges require comprehensive responses in which the state, civil society, the private sector, and international cooperation work in a coordinated manner,” U.S. Ambassador to Ecuador Art Brown said in a September statement. “In the coming weeks, our team will meet with government institutions to coordinate plans and projects that will improve the security of Ecuadorians.”
The U.S. government will also deliver $1.5 million to build a ship maintenance hangar for the Regional Logistics Center No. 75 AUCA, in the northern border of the country.
In addition, the U.S. Coast Guard will join this effort with the delivery of two of its 33.5-meter patrol boats to the Ecuadorian Navy. This is strategic equipment to enhance maritime interdiction capabilities and counternarcotics operations. The gesture is yet another testament of the strong cooperation between the two countries and underscores the U.S. commitment to security in Ecuador, the Embassy said.
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These initiatives support Ecuador’s efforts to curb the escalating violence of transnational criminal organizations as they seek to expand. Clashes between these criminal groups were occurring both inside and outside prisons for control of drug trafficking routes, Argentine news site Infobae reported, highlighting that the Armed Forces have regained control of the prisons.
In response to the rising violence from organized crime in the country, Ecuador launched in January the strategic national security initiative dubbed the Security Bloc. This initiative represents a coordinated effort between police and military forces to more effectively address the security challenges facing the country, particularly in high-risk areas such as Guayaquil.
Between January 1 and November 17, the Security Bloc arrested 65,000 members of organized crime groups accused of murder, kidnapping, drug trafficking, and extortion. This intense work resulted in the neutralization of 107 criminals and an 18 percent reduction in homicides in the country, Ecuadorian newspaper El Comercio reported.
“Crime prevention in communities is fundamental,” Ambassador Brown said. “We support projects that foster cooperation among neighbors, a sense of belonging, and community strengthening.”
On October 16, the Ministry of National Defense expressed its gratitude for the support of 34 neighboring countries in its fight against organized crime, “with a special mention to the support of strategic allies such as the United States, for the development of operations and continuous information exchange in several missions against drug trafficking.”
