**In a bid to tackle rampant gang violence ahead of elections, Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa is requesting military assistance from foreign nations, marking a significant shift in the country’s approach to drug trafficking and crime.**
**Ecuador's President Calls for International Military Support Against Gangs**
**Ecuador's President Calls for International Military Support Against Gangs**
**Noboa seeks assistance from US, Europe, and Brazil to combat escalating violence related to drug trafficking.**
In a recent interview with the BBC, Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa has made a bold appeal for the military support of the US, European nations, and Brazil to aid Ecuador in its escalating "war" against crime syndicates. Noboa underscored the urgency of the situation, claiming that 70% of the world’s cocaine is exported through Ecuadorian ports and that local criminal organizations have evolved into "international narco-terrorist" groups.
He expressed his desire for US President Donald Trump to officially classify Ecuadorean gangs as terrorist entities, paralleling moves made with certain Mexican and Venezuelan cartels. Noboa insists that to reclaim security, Ecuador requires a larger military presence, stating, "We need to have more soldiers to fight this war."
Despite the sharp critique of his heavy-handed approach, which has witnessed a 16% decrease in the murder rate during his administration, the assassination rate remains alarmingly high, peaking in January with 781 homicides. This situation presents a critical concern for voters as they approach a presidential runoff scheduled for April 13, where national security is the foremost issue.
Noboa has already taken steps towards securing international partnerships, directing the foreign ministry to establish alliances with countries willing to assist in combating local cartels. He is also exploring constitutional amendments to permit foreign military bases in Ecuador—a move reminiscent of US anti-drug operations that ceased in 2009 following local opposition.
In defense of recent collaborations with Erik Prince, a controversial figure known for founding Blackwater, Noboa explained that Prince's expertise in unconventional warfare could help navigate the complexities of urban crime. Noboa stressed that cooperation would respect Ecuadorian law, despite public concern over Prince's past, including ties to alleged human rights abuses.
The president noted that transnational drug trafficking creates an urgent need for collaborative security strategies across borders. As gang violence continues to permeate the fabric of Ecuadorian society, he urged nations with high demand for cocaine to actively participate in resolutions to this crisis, stating, “The product they're consuming has a chain of violence and misery.”
The upcoming elections pose a critical test for Noboa, as his challenger Luisa González argues that voters have yet to see substantive progress on the security front. With rising violence creating mass displacements and influencing migration patterns, Noboa claims that providing citizens with better job opportunities is essential for stabilizing Ecuador’s economy and ensuring public safety.
In a call for national unity, Noboa championed economic recovery and job creation as the cornerstones of his strategy to combat violence and crime, seeking to assure Ecuadoreans that a solution is attainable. As he prepares for a close runoff election against González, public perception of his approach to security may prove pivotal to his political future.
He expressed his desire for US President Donald Trump to officially classify Ecuadorean gangs as terrorist entities, paralleling moves made with certain Mexican and Venezuelan cartels. Noboa insists that to reclaim security, Ecuador requires a larger military presence, stating, "We need to have more soldiers to fight this war."
Despite the sharp critique of his heavy-handed approach, which has witnessed a 16% decrease in the murder rate during his administration, the assassination rate remains alarmingly high, peaking in January with 781 homicides. This situation presents a critical concern for voters as they approach a presidential runoff scheduled for April 13, where national security is the foremost issue.
Noboa has already taken steps towards securing international partnerships, directing the foreign ministry to establish alliances with countries willing to assist in combating local cartels. He is also exploring constitutional amendments to permit foreign military bases in Ecuador—a move reminiscent of US anti-drug operations that ceased in 2009 following local opposition.
In defense of recent collaborations with Erik Prince, a controversial figure known for founding Blackwater, Noboa explained that Prince's expertise in unconventional warfare could help navigate the complexities of urban crime. Noboa stressed that cooperation would respect Ecuadorian law, despite public concern over Prince's past, including ties to alleged human rights abuses.
The president noted that transnational drug trafficking creates an urgent need for collaborative security strategies across borders. As gang violence continues to permeate the fabric of Ecuadorian society, he urged nations with high demand for cocaine to actively participate in resolutions to this crisis, stating, “The product they're consuming has a chain of violence and misery.”
The upcoming elections pose a critical test for Noboa, as his challenger Luisa González argues that voters have yet to see substantive progress on the security front. With rising violence creating mass displacements and influencing migration patterns, Noboa claims that providing citizens with better job opportunities is essential for stabilizing Ecuador’s economy and ensuring public safety.
In a call for national unity, Noboa championed economic recovery and job creation as the cornerstones of his strategy to combat violence and crime, seeking to assure Ecuadoreans that a solution is attainable. As he prepares for a close runoff election against González, public perception of his approach to security may prove pivotal to his political future.
