From Tourist Paradise to Crime Capital: Ecuador’s Alarming Rise in Violence Amid Expansion of Transnational Criminal Groups

In 2019, Ecuador was known as a peaceful tourist destination with a homicide rate of under seven per 100,000, similar to that of the United States. However, by 2023, the homicide rate had skyrocketed to almost 45 per 100,000, making Ecuador the most dangerous country in mainland Latin America. The surge in crime is not unique to Ecuador, as the rest of Latin America is also experiencing an increase in violence due to the expansion of transnational criminal groups. Even traditionally peaceful countries like Costa Rica and Uruguay are witnessing higher levels of violence.

The rise in organized crime has led to a spike in violent crimes and murders in Durán city in Ecuador. This increase can be attributed to the smuggling of cocaine from Colombia to Europe through Ecuadorian ports. The smuggling operations have resulted in a shocking murder rate of 148 per 100,000 people in Durán city alone.

In response to this growing violence, governments in the region have implemented harsh measures such as states of emergency, mass incarceration, and deploying the military to maintain order. President Nayib Bukele’s “iron-fist” policies have been successful in El Salvador following a state of emergency declared by him in March 2022 that led to a significant decrease in homicides after almost 80,000 individuals were incarcerated. His popularity has made him one of the most popular elected leaders globally.

Recently, Ecuadorians showed strong support for tougher anti-crime measures proposed by President Daniel Noboa during a referendum. These measures include overturning a constitutional ban on extradition of criminals and allowing the army to patrol streets and prisons permanently while eliminating early release possibilities for well-behaved prisoners. This shift towards stricter policies reflects growing concern over rising crime rates across Latin America and how governments are responding to address this issue.

In conclusion, while Ecuador was once considered a peaceful tourist destination with low crime rates compared to other countries worldwide; however, recent years have seen an alarming rise in organized crime leading to unprecedented levels of violence and murder rates. Governments across Latin America are taking harsh measures such as deploying their military and implementing mass incarceration policies as well as using extradition agreements with other countries like El Salvador which shows success rates following its implementation. As society continues its fight against transnational criminal organizations’ influence on local communities it will require collective efforts from all sectors including law enforcement agencies government bodies and civil society organizations working together towards creating safer societies for future generations