Latin America in Focus
The Durability of Mano Dura in Ecuador
Feb 13, 2025
Vanda Felbab-Brown, a Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution, dives into Ecuador's escalating security crisis stemming from the rise of international criminal organizations. She discusses President Daniel Noboa's mano dura approach, highlighting its challenges amid soaring violence. The conversation unveils the complex ties between organized crime and local politics, and why replicating El Salvador's success under Nayib Bukele may be problematic for Ecuador. Tune in for a compelling look at the intersection of crime, security, and governance.
28:59
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Quick takeaways
- Ecuador's dramatic rise in violence is largely attributed to international criminal organizations and exacerbated by weakened governance and corruption.
- President Noboa's 'mano dura' strategy aims to restore security through military involvement, but risks long-term human rights violations and institutional erosion.
Deep dives
Ecuador's Rising Insecurity
Ecuador has seen a dramatic increase in insecurity, transforming from one of the safest countries in Latin America to one plagued by violence, particularly driven by international criminal organizations. The homicide rate surged, with over 2,400 murders in the previous year alone, raising alarms among citizens. The emergence of powerful Mexican cartels, such as the Sinaloa cartel and Cartel Jalisco Nova Generación, has been pivotal in turning Ecuador into a major transportation hub for cocaine trafficking. Moreover, internal factors, including the rise of domestic gangs and significant cuts to security budgets, exacerbated this crisis, making it increasingly difficult for the state to maintain order.
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