Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa has requested military support from the U.S., Brazil, and European nations to combat drug gang violence. He described the situation as a ‘war’ against organized crime that has substantially risen, stating the need for international forces. Noboa’s request faces significant political and legal challenges as elections approach.
Ecuador’s President, Daniel Noboa, has urgently requested military assistance from the United States, Brazil, and European countries to combat a rising wave of violence instigated by drug gangs. In a BBC interview, President Noboa mentioned, “We need the help of international forces,” emphasizing the importance of deploying special forces from these nations in the fight against organized crime that has severely affected Ecuador’s safety.
Ecuador, previously viewed as a secure nation in Latin America, has transformed into a critical transit hub for cocaine trafficking from Colombia, Peru, and Bolivia. This illicit trade has given rise to numerous domestic and international criminal organizations engaged in activities such as kidnapping, extortion, and illegal mining, consequently leading to an alarming increase in violence throughout the country.
President Noboa elaborated on the situation, asserting, “We need to have more soldiers to fight this war,” which he described as an “unconventional, urban guerrilla war.” As security continues to emerge as a central issue in the forthcoming April elections, Noboa has established a reelection campaign focused on a zero-tolerance approach towards illegal organizations.
In the lead-up to the elections, amidst reports of gruesome violence like dismembered bodies and mass shootings, Noboa has proposed several bold strategies, including potentially inviting foreign troops. He disclosed a new collaboration with Erik Prince, the founder of the controversial military contractor Blackwater, whose operations in Iraq were contentious. Noboa clarified that it is “not necessarily” his intention to recruit mercenaries, stating that Prince’s role is one of advisory support.
However, Noboa’s ambition to host foreign military forces encounters numerous political and legal challenges, such as the necessity for status of forces agreements and an existing prohibition on foreign military bases in Ecuador. His political opponent, Luisa Gonzalez, a protégé of former President Rafael Correa, likely would oppose such actions due to Correa’s eviction of U.S. military presence from a vital base in Manta in 2009.
In summary, President Daniel Noboa of Ecuador is seeking international military assistance to address escalating violence from drug gangs, a severe shift for a previously secure nation. As he navigates the complex political landscape and legal barriers to foreign troop deployment, these developments signify a critical moment for Ecuador’s security and stability in light of upcoming elections.
Original Source: thedefensepost.com
