Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa has called for military assistance from the US, Europe and Brazil in the fight against criminal groups he describes as "narco-terrorists." In an interview with the BBC, he noted that 70% of the world's cocaine passes through Ecuador, making the country a key hub for drug traffickers.
He asked US President Donald Trump to declare Ecuadorian criminal groups such as Los Lobos, Los Choneros and Los Tiguerones terrorist organizations, just as he has done with some Mexican and Venezuelan cartels, writes A2 CNN. The step would give US authorities more powers to fight these groups.
Noboa has taken a tough approach to crime, militarizing the streets and prisons. While homicides have fallen by 16% from 2023 to 2024, the level of violence remains high, with 781 murders in January 2025 alone. He argues that the country cannot win this war alone and has proposed constitutional changes to allow the return of foreign military bases to Ecuador.
Another controversial issue is his collaboration with Erik Prince, the founder of the private military firm Blackwater, known for scandals in Iraq. Noboa has stressed that Ecuadorian laws will be respected, while his supporters argue that Prince's expertise could help in the fight against crime.
Noboa's main challenge is convincing international leaders to intervene, while his matchup with leftist candidate Luisa González in the April 13 election is expected to be close. With security as the main issue for voters, his political fate will depend on public perception of the success of his anti-gang strategy. (A2 Televizion)
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