Violence Surges in Guayaquil, Ecuador’s Largest City, Amidst Drug Wars and Rising Crime Rates
Guayaquil, Ecuador’s largest city, is experiencing a sharp increase in violence as criminal groups battle for control over the drug trade. Despite increased drug seizures by security forces, violence persists, raising concerns among residents and highlighting the broader issue of spiraling crime rates ahead of the upcoming presidential elections.
In recent months, the city of Guayaquil, with a population of 2.8 million, has witnessed a surge in murders, gun battles, and instances of dismemberment. These acts of violence have not only affected the local economy but have also created an atmosphere of fear among the inhabitants. This trend mirrors the worsening crime rates seen in various Latin American countries since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.
According to police data, Guayaquil recorded 1,390 violent deaths in the first half of this year, almost matching the total number for the entire year of 2022. These numbers represent close to half of the 3,500 cases registered nationally. The violence is primarily concentrated in areas near the ports, and it stems from rivalries between seven major criminal groups.
Fausto Salinas, the commander of Ecuador’s national police, explained that these criminal groups, backed by international cartels, are vying for territorial control within the city. Their objective is to oversee the transportation and distribution of drugs, ranging from imports across the border to shipments both within and outside the country.
“Now there’s a war for control between criminal organizations,” Salinas revealed. The seizure of drugs in one area often triggers conflicts in other routes, exacerbating the violence.
The outgoing President Guillermo Lasso has faced heavy criticism for his failure to curb the escalating violence, despite authorizing soldiers to patrol the streets and use their weapons against criminals through emergency powers.
Lasso’s government attributes the surge in violence to criminal infighting among Mexican cartels, the Albanian mafia, and other criminal organizations seeking to control drug trafficking routes. The situation has led to the expansion of criminal groups, as evidenced by the testimony of Wellington Avila, a taxi driver who was kidnapped eight months ago.
“The groups now have so much power, they were allowed to get stronger,” Avila lamented. His experience reflects the helplessness felt by many in the face of rampant criminal activity.
Although campaigning for the upcoming presidential election does not officially begin until Thursday, all eight candidates have pledged to prioritize security. They have promised improvements to the prison system, justice system, and policing, along with expanded border patrols.
Luisa Gonzalez, one of the leading presidential hopefuls and backed by former President Rafael Correa, seeks to address the root causes of crime by advocating for better living conditions in impoverished neighborhoods, improved education, and increased job opportunities for young people, preventing them from falling into the grasp of criminal gangs.
The surge in violence has had profound consequences for businesses and individuals in Guayaquil. Maria Belen Gonzales, forced to close her clothing store in southern Guayaquil due to gang extortion, expressed her lack of faith in the ability of a new president to effect change.
The fight against drug trafficking remains a significant challenge for Ecuador. Security forces have reported breaking up 764 criminal groups, seizing 5,300 firearms, and making 39,000 arrests nationwide in the first half of this year. However, these efforts are only temporary solutions to the growing security pressures in trafficking hotspots such as borders and ports, according to Mario Pazmino, ex-Army intelligence chief and analyst.
Pazmino emphasized the need for a constant security presence in public places to ensure the safety of citizens. At Guayaquil’s ports, manual checks have resulted in the seizure of 38 tonnes of drugs this year, compared to just 44 tonnes throughout 2022. Traffickers have targeted banana shipments, as containers of the fruit have been used to transport cocaine, further complicating the situation.
Ecuador’s banana exports, valued at $3.27 billion last year, have suffered due to the lack of security. Jose Hidalgo, the head of the Ecuadorean Banana Exporters’ Association, commented on the situation’s impact on competitiveness. He stated, “We are not getting the security we were hoping for.” Luis Cordova, a violence and conflict researcher at Universidad Central de Ecuador, affirmed that President Lasso’s efforts to combat drug shipments have fallen short.
As Ecuador prepares to elect its next president on August 20, experts suggest that the successful candidate must assemble a robust team of security advisors to effectively tackle the escalating violence and address the root causes of crime.
Reporting by Yury Garcia in Guayaquil and Alexandra Valencia in Quito
Writing by Julia Symmes Cobb
Editing by Alistair Bell
Credit: The Star : News Feed
