Narcoviolence in Ecuador could worsen our migration crisis

As the U.S. border crisis continues to grow, and some cities stand on the brink of collapse, an unprecedented wave of narcoviolence has erupted in Ecuador. This new event could trigger a greater crisis on the U.S. southern border. Ecuador’s president, Daniel Noboa, has declared a state of internal armed conflict.

How do we get to this horrific scenario? Ecuador’s modern port infrastructure, the dollarization of its economy, social inequalities and high levels of corruption have created the perfect storm for a massive growth of drug trafficking and organized crime. The homicide rate in the country is 45 per 100,000 inhabitants, the highest in Latin America.

The 10 years of Rafael Correa’s leftist government (2007-2017) did not help matters. His administration closed the doors to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency. Cuban advisors arrived, strategic alliances were made with criminals and the judiciary stopped pursuing drug traffickers to hunt down political adversaries instead.

Correa’s anti-American ideology led to the closure of the U.S. base in Manta. The ports were exposed, and drug traffickers moved in without controls or constraints. Once they entered, they never left.

President Daniel Noboa, after less than two months in office, has responded to the tragedy with courage and determination, announcing an all-out war against narco-terrorism. The actions include jail time for criminals, including corrupt politicians and judges. At least 22 criminal organizations are among the top targets of his plan to return security and peace to 17 million Ecuadorians.

The government has recovered the control of its prison centers and has released kidnapped penitentiary officials. The army and police, at risk of their own lives, have advance in the war against criminals and terrorists (as Noboa calls the drug traffickers). Almost 2,000 highly dangerous actors have been arrested as part of a task that is just beginning.

Ecuador has also said no to its old “Russian military junk”. Noboa has announced that it will exchange Russian materiel for state-of-the-art American weapons. The exchange is estimated to be worth $200 million.

While many local efforts are being made, regional support is key. The crisis that Ecuador is experiencing hurts and involves its neighbors and beyond. Colombia, Peru, Brazil and even Mexico should and can cooperate with efforts to capture drug traffickers and extradite criminals. Intelligence and coordination are also vital.

U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Rick Scott (R-Fla.) issued a bipartisan statement in support of the Ecuadorian people and government. The statement noted that Ecuador is a strong U.S. ally and partner confronting a national wave of violence from gangs and drug cartels.

“While Ecuador faces the significant challenge of confronting criminal drug cartels, who seek to destroy their nation’s stability, the U.S. stands unequivocally with our ally Ecuador in efforts to ensure perpetrators are held accountable,” the statement says.

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller announced that General Laura Richarson, commander of U.S. Southern Command, and other senior U.S. officials will visit Ecuador in the coming weeks to explore ways to work together more effectively to confront the threat posed by transnational criminal organizations. In addition, the U.S. will increase intelligence sharing, cooperation to combat malicious cyber activity, and assistance with the implementation of prison reforms.

Ecuador’s new president is putting his best efforts into meeting this extraordinary challenge. His administration is fully committed to not giving a truce to the corrupt and not making shady deals with criminals. Despite this, resources, political support and time are the main challenges ahead.

Although the world already faces multiple conflicts, the crisis in Ecuador requires close attention. A greater migration crisis and a significant drug trafficking increase will be just a few of the many consequences of ignoring this situation.

Resources and leadership will be key in Ecuador. Let’s not forget about this Latin American nation. Its success is fundamental to the security of the U.S. and our entire hemisphere.

Arturo McFields Yescas is an exiled journalist, former Nicaraguan ambassador to the OAS and former member of the Norwegian Peace Corps.