Ecuador’s government is preparing to receive international support to combat escalating insecurity, including drug trafficking and organized crime, within the next two to three weeks.
President Daniel Noboa made the announcement on March 5th, outlining the government’s ongoing negotiations with foreign countries for security assistance. While specific countries or institutions were not named, Noboa emphasized that the initiative is crucial for tackling transnational criminal networks, which have been increasingly active in the country.
During a radio interview in Los Ríos, a province heavily impacted by severe weather, the president highlighted the importance of foreign aid in strengthening Ecuador’s capacity to confront these threats. Noboa stressed that international cooperation is key to addressing the rise of organized crime, which has become a significant challenge for the government. The president also confirmed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been engaged in dialogues with other nations to secure the necessary support.
This move comes after the Ecuadorian National Assembly passed a resolution on February 25th in support of the fight against organized crime. Noboa explained that the resolution was driven by both the country’s current election season and the public outcry over rising violence. He noted that lawmakers could not ignore the demands from the citizens, pushing the assembly to take action in response to the growing concern over public safety.
Proposed Reforms and the Call for a Constituent Assembly
Looking ahead to the April 2025 elections, President Noboa reiterated his plan to convene a Constituent Assembly if he wins the second round of voting. The proposed assembly would focus on reforming the country’s judicial and security frameworks to address the challenges posed by criminal organizations that have entrenched themselves in Ecuador over the last decade. Noboa acknowledged that current legislation presents obstacles in effectively dismantling these criminal structures, which are now bolstered by foreign support.
The president outlined several key features of the potential Constituent Assembly, stating that it would not be an extended process. He emphasized that the assembly would focus on specific reforms, particularly related to penal law and security, without granting it sweeping powers. Noboa believes that these targeted changes are necessary to address the nation’s security concerns and to strengthen the legal system’s ability to combat organized crime.
In addition to these security-focused reforms, Noboa briefly addressed the ongoing political debate surrounding Ecuador’s dollarized economy. The Citizen Revolution political bloc, which has recently expressed support for establishing the U.S. dollar as the official currency, has raised questions about the potential implications for the country’s economic future. While Noboa acknowledged the political timing of this proposal, he expressed concern about the long-term consequences of such a move. He suggested that the true objective behind the proposal may be to open the door to electronic currencies, potentially undermining the dominance of physical cash in Ecuador’s economy.
As the country grapples with mounting insecurity, Noboa’s promises of international assistance and constitutional reforms highlight the urgent need for both foreign support and internal legal changes to confront the growing influence of criminal organizations in Ecuador. The president’s upcoming decisions, particularly regarding the Constituent Assembly, will be pivotal in shaping the future of Ecuador’s security and economic landscape.
This is a dangerous precedent that Naboa is setting and he’s not telling the truth. Crime has not gone down on his watch and he is in Trump/Putin’s pocket. He was a front row attendee at Trump’s inauguration. The undisclosed foreign military protection is the U.S. and Trump never does anything without a financial gain and a con against the people. The indigenous people of Ecuador better stand against this because no one should trust anything Trump does and obviously, that now includes Naboa.