Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa has declared the country to be in a state of “internal armed conflict.” In a decree issued on Tuesday, he ordered the neutralization of criminal groups involved in drug trafficking.
The presidential decree acknowledges the existence of an internal armed conflict and directs the mobilization and intervention of the armed forces and national police to ensure sovereignty and territorial unity against organized crime and terrorist organizations.
President Noboa has ordered the neutralization of all such criminal groups, providing a detailed list of their names.
Ecuador, situated in South America, has long grappled with issues stemming from drug trafficking and organized crime, largely due to its geographical position between Colombia and Peru, major cocaine producers.
These challenges have escalated into serious security concerns, impacting the nation’s stability. President Daniel Noboa’s declaration of an “internal armed conflict” marks a significant shift in the government’s approach to tackling these issues.
This move authorizes the deployment of the military alongside police forces to combat criminal organizations, reflecting the government’s intensified efforts to restore order and safeguard national sovereignty.
This situation underscores the growing complexities in addressing drug-related violence and organized crime in the region.