The Intelligence from The Economist Going gang-buster: we meet Ecuador’s president
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Jun 27, 2025 
Mike Byrd, Wall Street correspondent and host of Money Talks, dives deep into Ecuador's recent political landscape. President Daniel Noboa is asserting his stance against transnational gangs, promoting his ambitious 'Phoenix Plan' while balancing the need for democracy. The discussion also addresses the resilience of financial markets amidst turbulent global events and the evolving role of the United Nations in fostering global governance and security. Byrd’s insights reveal the complexities of leadership and the interconnectedness of politics and finance.
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Noboa's Phoenix Tattoo Story
- Ecuador's president Daniel Noboa has a tattoo of four phoenixes symbolizing his close family and his personal resilience after an arm injury.
- The tattoo moves when he moves his arm, representing the connection between him and his children.
Ecuador's Gangs and Violence
- Ecuador faces extreme violence from transnational gangs linked globally and operating cocaine trafficking through banana exports.
- Despite tough policies by President Noboa, including militarization and labeling gangs as terrorists, violence remains persistently high.
Sharp Rise in Ecuador Violence
- Ecuador’s murder rate skyrocketed by over 540% between 2019 and 2023, becoming mainland Latin America’s most violent country.
- This rise resulted from fragmented criminal gangs and shifted cocaine export routes exploiting Ecuador's ports and economy.