Mexican Cartels’ Violent Expansion into Ecuador: The Rising Tide of Street Gang Violence and Drug Trafficking

Mexican Drug Cartels Expand into Ecuador, Fueling Intense Gang Violence

Amidst an alarming escalation of street gang violence in Ecuador, President Daniel Noboa has declared a state of “internal armed conflict” in response to the growing influence of Mexican drug cartels. The latest incident involved gunmen from an Ecuadorian gang believed to be aligned with Mexico’s Jalisco New Generation cartel, who took over a television station during a live broadcast and brandished explosives. In a surprising turn of events, a rival gang backed by Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel issued a statement calling for peace.

The Attraction of Ecuador for Mexican Cartels

Ecuador’s strategic location makes it an appealing shipping point for drug cartels. Situated between Colombia and Peru, two major cocaine producers, Ecuador provides easy access to lucrative drug markets. Additionally, the country’s weak law enforcement system, corruption, and poverty have created an environment ripe for cartel activities. Ecuador’s bustling foreign trade, particularly its status as the world’s top exporter of bananas, offers an ideal cover for smuggling drugs.

The Rise of Ecuador as a Cocaine Shipment Point

Experts suggest that in just a few years, Mexican cartels have transformed Ecuador into a major cocaine shipment point, responsible for almost one-third of the cocaine entering Europe. According to a report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the proportion of cocaine departing from Ecuador to Western Europe has steadily increased from 14% in 2018 to 29% in 2020. This surge in drug trafficking is closely linked to the Mexican cartels’ expansion into neighboring Colombia, following the 2016 peace accords with leftist rebels.

A Violent Business Model

Mexican cartels employ a familiar business model abroad, recruiting local gangs with promises of guns and cash to assert control over territory. The ongoing battle between the Sinaloa and Jalisco cartels in Mexico has resulted in a persistent and violent wave of crime. Similarly, in Ecuador, the rapid rise in gang violence can be attributed to the Mexican cartels’ outsourcing strategy, where local gangs are paid in drugs instead of cash. Forced to sell these drugs in local markets, the local gangs have become increasingly organized, leading to a spike in violence and drug consumption.

Challenges Faced by Ecuador

Ecuador faces significant challenges in combatting the influence of Mexican cartels and local gangs. The power wielded by these gangs extends from the streets to the prisons, with instances of high-profile assassinations and escapes. In response to the recent escalation, President Noboa has designated 20 drug-trafficking gangs as terrorist groups and authorized the military to take action. However, the effectiveness of these measures remains to be seen.