QUITO: In Ecuador’s troubled southwest, marked by an escalating “war” between drug gangs and security forces, 68 people were arrested for attempting to seize control of a hospital.
The incident unfolded in Yaguachi, Guayas, with the alleged terrorists aiming to rescue a colleague admitted to the hospital with injuries. Authorities successfully neutralized the attempt, seizing firearms and drugs in the process.
As part of the crackdown, police raided a “rehabilitation center” functioning as a gang command center and brothel. The facility housed several alleged gang members and was among the many gang-run clandestine hospitals closed by Ecuadoran authorities. The closures target facilities lacking proper patient care infrastructure, highlighting the challenges posed by organized crime infiltrating healthcare.
Ecuador’s recent plunge into crisis stems from the expansion of transnational cartels using its ports for drug shipments. Following the prison escape of Adolfo Macias, known as “Fito,” President Daniel Noboa declared a state of emergency, framing the situation as a “war” against gangs. The ensuing violence, including threats, hostage situations, and attacks on security forces, prompted urgent measures to curb organized crime.
In response to the regional security crisis, Ecuador, Peru, Colombia, and Bolivia agreed to establish a new “Andean security network.” The network aims to facilitate continuous information exchange on criminal activities with transnational implications. Ecuador’s Foreign Minister Gabriela Sommerfeld hailed the collaboration, emphasizing the need to overcome fear-induced paralysis and address the economic and social impacts of violence.
The United States announced plans for a delegation visit to Ecuador to enhance bilateral security cooperation and discuss collaborative strategies against transnational criminal organizations. Peru and Colombia tightened border controls to prevent the influx of criminals escaping Ecuador’s crackdown. Recent interceptions of semi-submersible vessels laden with drugs in Pacific waters underscore the pervasive nature of the drug trade in the region.
