Ministry of the Interior pursues intelligence upgrades, tactical overhauls, and international partnerships.
As Ecuador endures the deadliest start to a year in its history, the government of President Daniel Noboa is accelerating a broad overhaul of its national security strategy. At the center of this effort is Interior Minister John Reimberg, who will mark three months in office on May 21st. Despite a grim increase in homicides and persistent insecurity, Reimberg insists the strategy is beginning to take shape, with deep reforms in police leadership, expanded international cooperation, and a push for intelligence-driven enforcement.
The numbers are stark. Between January and mid-May 2025, Ecuador recorded 3,461 violent deaths—nearly a thousand more than during the same period in 2023, which itself had been the most violent year on record. While 94% of the killings are believed to be linked to organized crime, the collateral toll includes innocent civilians and children.
“Our fight is economic,” Reimberg said. “These groups are being hit where it hurts—through seizures, arrests, and territory loss. That’s why the violence increases. There’s a struggle for what remains.”
Strategic Shakeup in the Police Force
To regain control of the country’s streets, the Ministry of the Interior has initiated a sweeping transformation of the National Police’s leadership structure. Forty-nine command positions have been reshuffled in recent weeks, placing experienced combat personnel at the forefront of the anti-crime campaign. According to Reimberg, the objective is twofold: infuse field experience into high-ranking posts and promote rising officers capable of leading from the front.
“These are not desk officers,” he emphasized. “We’ve placed future generals in the field to show the way, to understand what citizens are facing, and to respond with urgency and clarity.”
Daily meetings now guide the national security agenda, with top leadership traveling to conflict zones and overseeing tactical deployments. Operations are being launched in Guayaquil, Quito, and the eastern Amazon region, where criminal groups are expanding their footprint.
International Partners and Models of Reform
A cornerstone of Ecuador’s strategy is learning from other nations that have faced similar security crises. A recent delegation led by President Noboa and Reimberg visited El Salvador, Israel, and France, with an agenda centered on replicable models of crime suppression, intelligence coordination, and prison reform.
In El Salvador, the Ecuadorian officials toured maximum-security facilities designed for gang leaders and examined legislative changes that underpin President Nayib Bukele’s controversial anti-gang crackdown. Reimberg highlighted how inmates in those facilities are made to work and are denied access to luxuries or contact with their criminal networks—contrasts that Ecuador hopes to replicate through legal reforms and infrastructure upgrades.
The delegation’s next stop was Israel, where the focus shifted to intelligence. Israel pledged assistance in training Ecuador’s anti-drug, anti-terror, and tactical units, and offered expertise in surveillance technologies. In France, a memorandum of understanding was signed to formalize cooperation in cybersecurity, security infrastructure, and intelligence training.
Beyond these three nations, Ecuador is now coordinating with countries as varied as Japan, Germany, the United States, Korea, Brazil, Turkey, and the United Kingdom. Reimberg said this reflects growing international recognition of Ecuador’s battle against transnational organized crime.
“Countries know that what we’re facing doesn’t stop at borders,” he said. “They’re offering support because our problem is becoming their problem.”
The Erik Prince Proposal
Among the more controversial elements of Ecuador’s security evolution is its potential collaboration with Erik Prince, the founder of the private military company formerly known as Blackwater. Prince visited Ecuador recently, observing joint police and military operations and later submitting a formal proposal to offer training services for Ecuadorian forces.
While no contract has been signed, Reimberg confirmed that Prince’s offer is under review.
“He has experience as a Navy SEAL, and we can learn from that,” the minister said. “We’re analyzing what he’s offering—mainly preparation and tactical training for our forces.”
Reimberg would not speculate on costs or the timeline for any possible agreement, but his comments indicate the government is open to hiring private military expertise, a decision likely to raise eyebrows both domestically and abroad.
Building an Intelligence Center
Central to the government’s internal strategy is the creation of a national intelligence center designed to coordinate data from across agencies and borders. While details remain classified, Reimberg said acquisition of certain key systems is already underway.
“This won’t be done in a rush,” he explained. “We’re building something first-class—a center that monitors what enters and exits the country, feeding actionable intelligence into operations.”
Though he declined to name vendors or components, he confirmed that systems would begin arriving “within a month.”
Rising Investment in Security
According to the minister, the state has significantly increased its internal security spending since 2023, including the acquisition of more than 1,000 police vehicles, 180 armored units, new communications equipment, body armor, and helmets.
A major portion of the new budget has also been directed toward intelligence gathering and technological systems designed to support surveillance and analysis. The Japanese government alone is contributing over $2 million toward the modernization of Ecuador’s police fleet.
But Reimberg emphasized that technology alone is not the solution.
“We must not forget the human factor,” he said. “Every day, the police are out there striking blows. Five operations a day is not unusual. But we need to strengthen their work with better tools and better intelligence.”
A Nation on Alert
While Ecuador continues to grapple with violence rooted in organized crime, it also remains vigilant about global terrorist threats. Reimberg echoed President Noboa’s warning about infiltration by extremist groups like the Muslim Brotherhood, explaining that certain actors are attempting to exploit weak immigration controls.
“They seek to establish identities in vulnerable countries and arrive here under new names,” he said. “We’re identifying those networks and closing the doors.”
Whether it’s criminal syndicates in Guayas, foreign extremists seeking entry, or the rise in civilian casualties, Reimberg said the government’s commitment remains firm.
“Our duty is to push back and protect the people. We’re not there yet, but we’re getting stronger every day.”
What about all the extortion going on small businesses that are driving owners to abandon their business and move away! A large part of Salinas’ businesses already pay extortion fees rather than face death!!!