Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa is seeking international military assistance in his country’s ongoing conflict with criminal gangs that are continuously escalating violence in a bid to control lucrative drug trafficking routes. In a recent interview with BBC News, he appealed to the governments of the United States, Europe, and Brazil to help combat organized crime, which he described as a "war" against drug traffickers, asserting that his country's security situation has deteriorated significantly.
At the core of his proposal is a request for U.S. President Donald Trump to designate Ecuadorian gangs as terrorist organizations, similar to how he has characterized certain Mexican and Venezuelan drug cartels. Noboa emphasized, “We need to have more soldiers to fight this war,” while noting that 70% of the world’s cocaine transits through Ecuador’s ports. He asserted that local gangs, which originally were merely criminal factions, have evolved into "international narco-terrorist" organizations consisting of about 14,000 armed members. This alarming transformation underscores the urgency of the situation.
Noboa is advocating for constitutional changes that would allow foreign military bases back into Ecuador, a significant shift from the 2009 ban imposed by ex-President Rafael Correa, which restricted American military operations aimed at combating narcotics. He expressed that the security forces of Ecuador require bolstered international cooperation to effectively tackle this transnational threat.
The growing violence in Ecuador is evident, with Noboa’s administration implementing stringent security measures over his 16 months in power. Notably, the murder rate declined by approximately 16% from 2023 to 2024, yet it remains elevated, and the country experienced a shocking high of 781 homicides in January 2025 alone. Noboa’s approach includes using military forces to suppress gang activity in both urban areas and prisons, which has not been without controversy.
Joining Noboa in the fight against gangs is Erik Prince, a controversial figure and the founder of the private military contractor Blackwater. Noboa described Prince’s involvement as a partnership where he advises Ecuador’s military and police on strategies for urban guerrilla warfare. Some locals have expressed concerns regarding Prince’s notorious past and the potential for human rights abuses stemming from such collaborations, a sentiment Noboa sought to address by emphasizing that all operations would respect Ecuadorian laws.
Ecuadorians are increasingly fearful of these gangs, especially given the intensified turf wars that have led to severe violence not only among rival factions but also against local politicians and law enforcement officials. Noboa is adamant about curbing this violence, but his methodology has faced criticism, particularly following the shocking deaths of four boys arrested during a military operation. The president stated that the soldiers involved were jailed pending an investigation and underscored his commitment to upholding the rule of law.
As the nation approaches the presidential run-off election on April 13, voters are divided over Noboa’s record on security policy. His opponent, Luisa González, has been vocal about his failures to materialize the promises made during the previous election cycle. The rising death toll exacerbates the tense political climate, and as murder rates soar, Noboa must persuade voters that his administration is capable of effectively managing this crisis.
In acknowledging the unpredictability associated with election cycles, Noboa suggested that increased violence often surfaces during electoral campaigns. “This is a transnational crime without a transnational security policy,” he remarked, emphasizing that the fight against narcotics requires collaborative efforts beyond Ecuador's borders. Noboa’s call to action included a plea for nations that consume cocaine, specifically mentioning the UK, urging them to take responsibility in tackling the root causes of violence associated with drug trafficking.
Amidst the escalating drug crisis, many Ecuadorians are fleeing their country in search of safety, with many migrating north and attempting to cross the perilous Darién Gap. Noboa expressed a willingness to accept returning nationals from the U.S., offering them job training and a subsidized minimum wage for three months, but firmly stated he would not accept migrants from other countries.
The president's vision for Ecuador hinges on economic recovery and the development of an export-based economy that would generate jobs and opportunities for those currently living in fear of violence. As he prepares for the upcoming election, the efficacy of his proposals and the public's perception of his administration's performance in reducing violence will ultimately determine his political future.
With the stakes high, Noboa's administration is at a critical juncture, as security remains a top concern for voters. If he fails to convince the electorate that his strategies are effective, he faces a challenging path ahead in a politically fractured landscape where the battle against crime and drug trafficking is as much a fight for survival as it is for credibility.
