Ecuador President Seeks US and European Military Aid Against Gangs
Ecuador’s President Calls for International Support in Fight Against Drug Cartels
Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa recently sat down for an interview with BBC, where he discussed the growing threat of international narco-terrorist groups operating in his country. Noboa emphasized the need for more soldiers to combat these groups effectively.
During the interview, Noboa highlighted that a significant portion of the world’s cocaine production originates from Ecuador, with approximately 70 percent of the drug coming from the country. He urged US President Donald Trump to designate Ecuadorian gangs as terrorist organizations to address the escalating issue.
To bolster their efforts in fighting drug cartels, Noboa revealed plans to collaborate with Erik Prince, the founder of the private security company Blackwater and a close ally of Trump. However, Noboa made it clear that any cooperation with Prince would adhere to Ecuadorian laws.
Additionally, Noboa expressed the importance of military support from the United States, Europe, and Brazil in addressing the rampant human rights violations committed by criminal gangs in Ecuador over the past five years. He acknowledged the rise in violence leading up to the country’s elections and stressed that Ecuador cannot tackle this problem alone.
Ecuador has been grappling with a surge in violence stemming from drug cartels in recent years, manifested in a rise in murders, extortion, threats, kidnappings, and attacks on political candidates. The country is in dire need of international assistance to combat these challenges effectively.
