The Ecuadorian government has recently taken significant steps to address the growing issue of insecurity within the country. The state of exception was declared for 60 days and the military deployed in provinces with the highest rates of insecurity, working alongside the police. This strategy is not unique to Ecuador, as many Latin American countries have utilized military forces for internal security functions.
Over the past years, the levels of insecurity and violence in Ecuador have escalated, reaching dangerous levels according to public safety analysis. In 2021, the homicide rate is projected to surpass 10 per 100,000 inhabitants, a statistic not seen in nearly a decade. There's also been an exponential increase in violent robberies. Although Ecuador is still far from having levels of violence comparable to some other Latin American countries, it remains highly concerning.
The rise in insecurity is attributed to multiple factors that highlight the challenges faced by the current administration, civil society, and the state itself. The deployment of military forces in public safety and public space, while improving perceptions of insecurity among some Ecuadorians, does not address the root issues unless accompanied by comprehensive public policies.
The current administration has also addressed prison violence, declaring a state of exception in the country's prisons in October, following deadly confrontations in Ecuadorian prisons, notably in the Guayas prison in Guayaquil. This situation is not new, having occurred during the presidency of Lenin Moreno, and it reflects power struggles between different criminal groups, including Los Choneros and Los Lagartos, two major criminal groups in Ecuador.
Ecuador's vulnerability to organized crime, drug trafficking, and illegal arms trade is another contributing factor. The country has historically served as a transit route for weapons between the US and South America, as well as for regional and international drug trafficking. Its proximity to Colombia exacerbates this vulnerability.
Additionally, the political and social climate in Ecuador is highly unstable. The recent arrival of President Guillermo Lasso to power in May has not alleviated the accumulated tension from previous administrations. The public confrontation between the executive and opposition has escalated, leading President Lasso to accuse part of the opposition of attempting a coup. The echoes of the 2019 protests still resonate because the demands of part of Ecuadorian society were not met.
Addressing the current security crisis requires more than just securitizing responses. It necessitates a broader range of policies related to education, production, border management, or justice. The government must cooperate internationally on security and intelligence to tackle transnational crime and update national security strategies. Moreover, it should avoid addressing the current crisis with only short-term measures. This is a challenge for the Ecuadorian state, requiring collective action beyond the government.
