Editorial: El País

• Ecuador is under siege due to a security crisis and rise in organized crime.
• Daniel Noboa, who assumed the presidency in late November, has authorized military intervention.
• The crisis was exacerbated by the escape of leaders from two criminal organizations.
• Structural factors such as institutional neglect, poverty, and corruption are causes of the problem.
• The Mexican cartels of Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation have expanded their influence in Ecuador during the pandemic.
• Ecuador has gone from one of the safest countries to one of the most dangerous, with an increase in the murder rate.
• Noboa promised to purchase prison-ships during his campaign to deal with dangerous criminals.

Conclusion: The severe security crisis in Ecuador requires involvement from all parties, as well as a state policy focused on crime, but with respect to human rights and freedoms.

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