Ecuadorian President Seeks Foreign Military Support to Combat Gang Violence

Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa has requested foreign military support to combat gang violence in the country, engaging with US, European, and Brazilian forces. Despite measures taken by the government to tackle crime, the nation faces an unprecedented rise in violence. Additionally, Noboa’s partnership with Erik Prince, founder of a controversial private military firm, has drawn skepticism, coinciding with heightened political tensions ahead of upcoming elections.

Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa has initiated a call for foreign military assistance to combat escalating gang violence in the nation. During a recent interview with the BBC, he expressed the need for support from US, European, and Brazilian armed forces, emphasizing Ecuador’s struggle against criminal groups. The president noted his administration’s ongoing discussions for receiving foreign military aid, particularly in crime-ridden provinces like Guayas.

Noboa stated, “We have a plan in place with our law enforcement agencies, the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Defense, the Armed Forces, and the Strategic Intelligence Center,” and highlighted the importance of international support in this essential military initiative. Furthermore, CNN reached out to the Pentagon and Brazil’s defense ministry regarding the possibility of deploying troops, although no responses have been provided at this time.

Ecuador has been grappling with severe gang-related violence, attributed largely to drug trade activities. Measures taken by the government include a national crackdown on crime, preemptive pardons for law enforcement involved in gang confrontations, and the declaration of states of emergency. Official statistics reveal that the year has witnessed over 1,000 homicides, marking an alarming surge in violence and establishing Ecuador as having the highest homicide rate in Latin America, according to InSight Crime data.

In a further development, Noboa announced a controversial collaboration with Erik Prince, the founder of the well-known private military firm previously called Blackwater, aiming to combat narcoterrorism and illegal fishing. This relationship has faced scrutiny, especially from former army commander Luis Altamirano, who condemned it as “deplorable.”

Noboa, acknowledging concerns regarding Prince’s past, assured that Ecuadorian laws would be upheld. His intensified crime-fighting strategies coincide with Ecuador’s upcoming presidential run-off election next month. Noboa, having failed to gain an outright majority previously, faces criticism from human rights activists and political opponents, notably Luisa Gonzalez, who claims he embodies a leadership based on fear.

Continuously labeling various gangs as terrorist organizations, Noboa has called for US support in this regard and has indicated the US State Department’s provision of $81 million since 2018 to aid Ecuador against organized crime. A mutual agreement also exists that permits US military personnel to operate within Ecuador while remaining under American jurisdiction when necessary.

In conclusion, President Daniel Noboa of Ecuador is actively pursuing international military assistance to address significant gang violence plaguing the country. His strategic collaboration with notable figures and emphasis on foreign support highlights the government’s urgent efforts to control lawlessness. However, these approaches have spurred public skepticism and criticism, particularly as Noboa navigates the political landscape ahead of the presidential run-off elections.

Original Source: www.wral.com