Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa has formed a partnership with former Blackwater head Erik Prince to combat crime. The alliance aims to tackle narco-terrorism and illegal fishing. However, it faces backlash due to Prince’s controversial history and concerns over human rights abuses amidst Noboa’s ongoing crackdown on crime.
Ecuador’s President, Daniel Noboa, has initiated a controversial partnership with Erik Prince, the founder of Blackwater, in a bid to intensify his government’s battle against crime. Announcing this alliance via social media, the president stated that the collaboration aims to bolster efforts against narco-terrorism and guard against illegal fishing activities. He expressed concern about the influence of organized crime, claiming that international support is now directed toward Ecuador.
Noboa, a right-wing figure with familial ties to the banana industry, has emphasized his image as a stringent anti-crime leader as he approaches the April 13 runoff election against left-wing contender Luisa González. His administration recently offered a $1 million reward for the apprehension of notorious drug kingpin José Adolfo Macías Villamar, also known as “Fito.”
The president’s aggressive campaign against domestic gangs and foreign drug cartels commenced in January 2024, as the country grapples with escalating violence. Ecuador’s geographical position, bordered by major cocaine producers, has rendered it a key transit point for narcotics directed to the United States and Europe, leading Noboa to proclaim a necessity to engage in this “war” against heavily fortified and financially backed criminal organizations.
Despite Noboa’s assertions, his approach has faced severe criticism and allegations of human rights violations, involving claims of torture and arbitrary detentions. The decision to collaborate with the former Blackwater CEO has sparked outrage among the Ecuadorian populace and human rights advocates, who fear the implications of introducing mercenaries into the country’s security landscape.
Legal expert Marlon Martínez Molina has raised concerns regarding the potential emergence of paramilitarism under this alliance, while citizens like author Cristina Burneo and activist Soledad Angus Freré have expressed that such actions could lead Ecuador into deeper chaos.
President Daniel Noboa’s controversial partnership with Erik Prince signifies a drastic approach in Ecuador’s ongoing struggle to combat narcotics and organized crime. Despite the intent to strengthen security measures, there are rising fears of potential human rights infringements and the implications of involving a military contractor with a questionable history. The unfolding situation requires careful monitoring as it could lead to significant consequences for Ecuador’s social and political landscape.
Original Source: www.theguardian.com
