Ecuador has experienced an alarming increase in violence, driven by criminal organizations operating in drug trafficking. Facing this scenario, President Daniel Noboa has reaffirmed his determination to eradicate organized crime, requesting support from the United States, Brazil, and Europe to strengthen the fight against these groups.
In an interview with the BBC, Noboa expressed his concern about the advancement of these organizations, which have evolved from criminal gangs to international narco-terrorism structures with approximately 14,000 armed individuals. He emphasized that 70% of the world's cocaine transits through Ecuador, which requires coordinated action with foreign forces to curb this threat.
The Ecuadorian leader also supported the idea of the Donald Trump administration designating the Ecuadorian gangs Los Lobos, Los Choneros, and Los Tiguerones as terrorist groups, similar to what the U.S. has done with cartels from Mexico and Venezuela. This classification would allow U.S. authorities to have greater leeway in the fight against these organizations.
