Ecuador Partners with Blackwater Founder for Crime Crackdown

Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa has allied with Erik Prince, founder of Blackwater, to combat organized crime amidst rising violence. The partnership has faced criticism, particularly concerning the involvement of mercenaries. Noboa’s crackdown on crime is linked to Ecuador’s alarming homicide rate, ranking the highest in Latin America, necessitating foreign support without clear details on its implementation.

Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa has formed a “strategic alliance” with Erik Prince, founder of the controversial private defense company formerly known as Blackwater, to combat organized crime. Noboa previously initiated a military operation against criminal organizations and announced the partnership via social media, expressing a commitment to aggressively confront narcoterrorism and address illegal fishing in Ecuador’s waters.

The specifics of the partnership remain undisclosed, prompting inquiries from CNN to the Ecuadorian presidency and Ministry of Defense regarding the Armed Forces’ awareness and support for this initiative. There has been a mixed reaction within Ecuador, including criticism from former Army commander Luis Altamirano, who deemed the collaboration with Prince’s private firm as “deplorable,” questioning the motives behind potentially hiring a mercenary army.

Erik Prince, known for his controversial background during the Iraq War involving Blackwater, has expressed his identity as an entrepreneur and advocate for military reforms. He has previously been supportive of U.S. former President Donald Trump and has played an influential role in foreign policy decisions. Noboa’s remarks indicate a challenging situation with crime in Ecuador, emphasizing the necessity for foreign assistance to address the escalating violence linked to organized crime and international drug cartels.

Ecuador is currently facing the highest homicide rate in Latin America, with statistics indicating a significant rise in violent crime at the beginning of the year. Noboa is seeking international support to aid in curbing gang violence, stating that specialized foreign forces will aid local efforts against organized crime; however, he has yet to clarify the origin or operational frameworks for these forces.

In conclusion, Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa has partnered with Erik Prince in a bid to strengthen the country’s fight against organized crime. This controversial decision has drawn criticism and raised questions about the involvement of private military contractors in addressing escalating violence. Ecuador faces severe crime rates that necessitate international assistance, yet the details of this alliance and external support remain unclear. The effectiveness and implications of such partnerships will be closely monitored as Noboa continues his security strategy.

Original Source: www.cnn.com