The government of Ecuador has deployed more than 75,000 police officers and soldiers to several provinces as part of an intensified campaign against powerful criminal gangs linked to drug trafficking. Get today's headlines by email Authorities say the operation targets four of the country’s most violence-affected regions — El Oro, Guayas, Los Ríos and Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas — where security forces are attempting to curb rising crime and restore public order. Curfew imposed in high-risk provincesInterior Minister John Reimberg said the large-scale deployment marks a “new phase” in the government’s ongoing campaign against organised crime. Speaking to residents in the affected provinces, he warned people to remain cautious and comply with new security restrictions. “We’re at war,” Reimberg said, urging citizens not to leave their homes unnecessarily as authorities enforce a night-time curfew across the targeted regions. The measures form part of the strategy introduced by President Daniel Noboa, who has pledged to confront criminal groups with tougher security policies since taking office in November 2023. Rising violence despite crackdownDespite these efforts, Ecuador has continued to experience increasing violence linked to drug trafficking and organised crime. The country recorded its highest murder rate in 2025, highlighting the growing influence of criminal organisations that operate along regional drug routes. Ecuador’s location between Colombia and Peru — the world’s largest producers of cocaine — has turned it into a major transit hub for narcotics destined for international markets. Authorities estimate that roughly 70% of the cocaine produced in those countries passes through Ecuadorian territory before reaching destinations abroad. International cooperation with the United StatesThe Ecuadorian government has increasingly sought international assistance to combat the flow of drugs and dismantle transnational criminal networks. In recent weeks, the Federal Bureau of Investigation opened its first office in Ecuador, strengthening cooperation with local authorities. The move followed the launch of joint counter-narcotics operations between Ecuador and the United States. President Noboa has also joined a US-backed coalition of 17 countries aimed at confronting criminal cartels across the Western Hemisphere. The initiative was discussed at a summit hosted by Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago, where leaders addressed strategies to combat organised crime and drug trafficking. Government vows tougher actionNoboa has repeatedly pledged to confront criminal groups with an uncompromising approach, declaring states of emergency in several parts of the country since taking office. However, official figures show the national murder rate increased by more than 30% between 2024 and 2025, underscoring the scale of the challenge facing authorities. The government says the latest deployment of troops and police is intended to regain control of areas most heavily affected by violence and weaken the influence of drug-trafficking organisations. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now · Source · 16.March 2026
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