Shootings and killings have been on the rise in Ecuador, leading to concerns. As per the reports of the BBC and CNN, shootings and killings frequently take place in Ecuador, leading to hundreds of deaths every year and — more importantly — these are rising. While there were several shooting events in the last few months including the shootings in a bar in July and the shootings in a nightclub in August, many such events took place in past years. The latest pool hall shootings in Santo Domingo Province in Ecuador that took place yesterday killed seven people. But it remains unclear whether and how much shootings and killings will be addressed in Ecuador.
Organized gang-based and other reasons can hinder addressing shootings and killings. The presence of organized criminal groups including Los Lobos, Los Choneros, Los Tiguerones and the Latin Kings, the fighting over drug trafficking and illegal mining and inadequate government steps are mostly responsible for shootings and killings in Ecuador. Illegal arms trafficking, which is worth billions of US dollars every year and is caused by various reasons including the availability of arms and a lack of economic opportunities, is responsible for nine out of 10 homicides. But the rearrest and extradition of José Adolfo Macías to the United States, along with increased rivalry among gangs to secure the illicit drug route, have probably increased such shootings in the last few months.
But it is not right that Ecuador does not take any efforts to address shootings and killings. Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa declared war on gang crime in January 2024 to combat escalating violence by organized criminal groups in different areas. The Ecuadorian government has declared a state of “internal armed conflict,” increased security force presence and militarized certain areas to contain organized gangs and killing activities, particularly in prisons and public spaces. These have made the situation comparatively challenging for indiscriminate shooters and killers. But shootings and killings have been continuing in several areas especially in coastal regions — despite the increased military presence and other ongoing efforts — in the Latin American country.
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There are various limitations in the government’s efforts, even if President Daniel Noboa declared war on gangs, leading to limited outcomes. Efforts are limited to prevent such shootings and killings and address the operations of organized criminal groups in different cities and towns, including in coastal regions. Addressing the flaws in the government efforts including heightened impunity and preventing gun availability in Ecuador are less. Moreover, the ongoing approaches of Ecuador including the “mano dura” approach do not desirably address the underlying socio-economic causes of violence, such as poverty and a lack of economic opportunities for many youths, that drive gang recruitment.
But efforts are needed to save lives and address shootings in Ecuador, which has the highest recorded murder rate in Latin America — though it was a tourist heaven for decades. Addressing criminal gangs alone will reduce such shootings. For this, the presence of law enforcement agencies and strengthened intelligence especially in the areas where organized gangs are more active including Esmeraldas, Guayas and Manabí provinces is vital. But these alone are unable to successfully address such killings. A holistic approach is needed that includes the use of forces and more.
Addressing the root causes of organized gangs and indiscriminate shootings and killings is vital and will be helpful in reducing such killing events in Ecuador and save many lives. Poverty and a lack of economic opportunities for youth drive their gang recruitment. For this, Ecuador needs to provide more emphasis on reducing poverty with increased economic opportunities. But addressing human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings, arbitrary detentions and torture is also vital during the use of force.
Amir M Sayem
Chief Editor
Dhaka Opinion Magazine
