Economist Podcasts Going gang-buster: we meet Ecuador’s president
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Jun 27, 2025 
Mike Bird, Wall Street correspondent and host of Money Talks, joins to discuss Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa's battle against transnational gangs. Noboa's recent success in arresting a notorious gang leader signals his commitment to tackling crime while respecting democracy. The discussion also explores market reactions to geopolitical events, revealing surprising investor indifference despite global turmoil. Additionally, Bird reflects on the UN's founding and its lessons in maintaining peace, making for a thought-provoking conversation.
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Noboa's Phoenix Tattoo Story
- Ecuador's president Daniel Noboa has a tattoo of four phoenixes symbolizing his recovery and family.
- His national security plan shares the name Phoenix, reflecting his personal resilience and leadership style.
Ecuador's Gang Crisis Factors
- Ecuador faces chaos with a 540% rise in murder rate since 2019, largely due to fragmented gangs and cocaine trafficking.
- The country's dollarized economy makes money laundering easy, exacerbating gang power.
Mixed Results of Noboa's Crackdown
- Noboa's tough approach includes militarizing police and treating gangs as terrorist organizations.
- Despite initial homicide reductions, violence surged again, raising questions on if the strategy is working or causing gang splintering.