Crime in Ecuador - What does the data say? A non sensational look at violent crime in Ecuador.

[@ExpatGringo]

After 5 months I'm still enjoying Ecuador. It pays to be informed and aware; good info. Despite the increase in crime it still beats living in the largest insane asylum in history, formerly known as the U.S.😅 Thanks!❤

[@KrisandMike]

Thanks for watching 👍. Yes we love it too.

[@dovygoodguy1296]

Veprjack, that's a great succinct approach!! But unfortunately the cartel phenomenon is getting closer to the Mexico reality.....

[@cvc2648]

Ecuador will be better. This bad moment will be pass by. We, the majority of Ecuadorians are good people, love to work for living in peace. We all will fight against the crime. Thank you for your video. Welcome to Ecuador.

[@KrisandMike]

Thanks for watching and your comment. I couldn't agree more. Take care.

[@jessicahenry3929]

Thank you for putting together such an in depth and thought provoking perspective on crime and risk. We are still planning our exploratory trip for August and hope to move Spring of '24.

[@KrisandMike]

Thanks for watching and your kind words. I hope you love it here. It's a great place.

[@pauladuncanadams1750]

Loved the rational conversation. So nice to hear and discuss reality. Thank you!

[@KrisandMike]

Reality is hard to find these days. Lol

[@pauladuncanadams1750]

@@KrisandMike indeed, especially in the states. Best wishes from California.

[@59kuphoff]

Being a visual learner this was extremely helpful. Thank you!

[@KrisandMike]

Thanks so much 🙏

[@heatherthomson4346]

Thanks for a thoughtful and measured analysis of the crime situation. As fellow Canucks arriving in Guayaquil in late July to start a two year work contract, this reinforces the decisions we made several months ago when deciding whether or not to accept the job. Having lived in other high-risk countries, I can attest to the fact that you have to weigh the benefits with the risks. You could just as easily stay in a relatively safe Canadian town and die in a traffic accident. Or die of boredom.

[@KrisandMike]

Thanks for watching. We have been in Guayaquil a few times and always felt safe. Common sense and staying in the right areas goes along way to being safe and feeling safe.

[@joserivera7349]

Remember Guayaquil has always been the most dangerous city in Ecuador. You have to move only in safe áreas of the city. I advise you to install in your car Windows bullet proof film which comes in colours and transparent.

[@pedepot]

Great perspective video! Americans are taught to fear other places, but the US is getting bad for many reasons, and the government knows a lot of folks are leaving. Fear holds many people in place.

[@KrisandMike]

Thanks for watching 👍

[@garyji]

Thanks for taking the time to put together such an informative, thorough, holistic, and balanced presentation. This was very helpful and makes a lot of sense. Especially since we are moving from South Florida where violent crime is a daily occurrence and is very random and unpredictable. We are planning an exploratory trip to Ecuador in Jan 2024 to the same area you live in, so maybe we'll bump into you then. Muchos gracias!

[@KrisandMike]

Thanks for your kind words. Much appreciated 🙏

[@Browneyedgrl711]

Thank you for taking the time to do this. We are just sitting here wondering if we should cancel our November trip. But seeing we live in the US and seeing those statistics, I believe we are good to go! 😊

[@KrisandMike]

Ah. That's great 👍. Thanks for watching!

[@josephgarceau6753]

Ecuador has a lot of safe areas, but has a few unsafe areas that you should avoid. Guayaquil and Esmeraldas are the biggest two. Cuenca, Banos, the Amazon, Galapagos, and many of the smaller beach towns are safe. I used to live in Guayaquil and the crime situation is not exaggerated there. You were always on edge because robberies and kidnapping happened a few hundred meters from your apartment and at all hours of the day. I am currently in Cuenca and myself and the citizens here are way more relaxed. I go for walks and jogging all over the city with no problems and no fear. In my opinion you can't compare statistics between a US city and a Latin American city because Guayaquil has similar statistics to many cities in the US but there will be 20 kidnappings in one day, buses firebombed, bombs at the bus station, airport, schools, school teachers kidnapped, robberies and homicides regularly even in the best neighborhoods.

[@mbwahaha]

Thank you, good info. We ecuadorians love to remember what happened once, repeat it over and over to scare ourselves and warn every foreigner or visitant... it has always been like that in Ecuador, even before, when the crime rates were really low compared to most places in South America. On the other hand, petty crime is not always reported, as in any third world country, its recommended to check what areas are safe to go, always be mindful of your stuff and try to avoid being flashy. About the cartels... what to say, its heartbreaking 😢

[@KrisandMike]

Thanks for your comment and watching 👍

[@tibzig1]

The largest consumers of narcotics are the Western nations, not third world countries. The United States Government absolutely has the power to shut it down, but they will never do it. Too many big businesses and government officials are making too much money off the problem. I am an Afghan. A country like the U.S. that invaded my country under false pretenses and carried on a meaningless war for twenty years, killing millions of innocent people does not care about anyone but its ruling elites. But we Afghans have never ever been conquered by anyone and the arrogant Americans were defeated in the end and went home with the gift of PTSD. The West now "colonizes" using the IMF and the World Bank to enslave third world countries. When the West wants natural resources or territory in a third world country, they invent reasons to "invade" it, such as "spreading freedom and democracy." ALL this crime related to human trafficking and narcotics in any third world country can be traced back to the West. ALL OF IT. Just as all the pedophilia can be traced back to Western men travelling to third world countries for such horrific activities. The Taliban had completely destroyed the Poppy/Opium industry in Afghanistan before the U.S. invaded. After the invasion, it carried on in full swing with the blessings of the Americans.

[@ndtea]

Excellent presentation! Really helps to put things in context and to compare to other parts of the world. Just found your channel and I'm really loving your perspectives and seeing the beauty of the area you're in. Thank you!

[@KrisandMike]

Thanks so much.

[@dianamayfield5615]

Good report. Thanks for taking the time to educate us. I'm still planning on making my move to Vilcabamba later this year, from the St. Louis area BTW.

[@KrisandMike]

Thanks for your kind words. Take care.

[@trishr3412]

Great info, thanks for the research!

[@KrisandMike]

You are very welcome

[@Ficklid]

Hi Kris and Mike! Thanks for the excellent and well researched video. Nice to meet fellow Canadians. And a fellow ham! You even have the same radio as I have! I am planning to arrive in Ecuador next year in the fall. I'm already retired and ready for the next adventure. -Geoff VE1GF

[@KrisandMike]

Thanks for writing Geoff and your nice comments. Great you are coming here. Pretty funny you noticed the ham radio. It's all set up with no antenna attached to it yet though. I'm getting some work done on a rooftop pergola and I'm waiting for that to be done before I get the antenna up. But it's all ready to go. Keep in touch.

[@BPe-ie9je]

THANKS for all the time you put into this video. I'm coming , EC, '23. Hopefully see you soon. Not sure where I'm landing, yet, in EC. tough decisions. Getting rid of my life , here in Mich. its tough. hard work. Tks again. Hi Kris.

[@KrisandMike]

That's great 👍

[@BPe-ie9je]

@@KrisandMike Here is a 'new one for you ' NAACP just posted TRAVEL WARNING for FLORIDA . yep!

[@l.d.d.2062]

Where in Michigan, I'm from Lansing, but have lived in Ecuador 10 years.

[@Manta7123]

On my way to Manta to live on July 1. This was excellent information and very well presented. Thank you

[@KrisandMike]

Thanks very much 👍. You must be getting excited 😊. We love it here.

[@Manta7123]

@@KrisandMike I am in the freaking out phase!

[@KrisandMike]

@@Manta7123 it will be just fine. Ecuadorians are so helpful and friendly. Manta has a great expat community and it awesome here. Enjoy the journey.

[@TreesOnTheBeach]

Super-interesting charts. I just discovered your channel and have subscribed. Hope you enjoy Ecuador!

[@KrisandMike]

Thanks for subscribing. Yes we are loving it here. Perfect for us.

[@BirdNParaise]

Very interesting and nuanced. Thanks for perspective. Very good.

[@KrisandMike]

Thanks for watching. Take care

[@marckaufman2556]

You said something around 5:15 into the video that is contrary to what I've read many times over the 8 yrs I've lived in Ecuador. I've always read that the drugs are produced in Colombia and Peru and come into Ecuador to be shipped. You mentioned that some of the drug shipments go from Ecuador out thru Colombia and Peru.

[@KrisandMike]

You are correct. I misspoke. The majority are what you described. Thanks for watching Marc.

[@marckaufman2556]

@@KrisandMike I'm still watching due to interruptions for things happening on the farm. The part with the graphs is great for giving people perspective both for comparable numbers and what you said about there being specific areas within the cities with the highest rates. I've been hearing how dangerous Brazil, and particularly Rio de Janeiro, since my first trip there 44 yrs years ago to visit my aunt and cousins (old enough to be my parents). My female cousin has lived in Rio her whole life. I've walked alone quite a lot in Rio. I know not to go to the favelas. I also know how to act and dress to blend and look like a poor choice as a target. It's much the same of what you've said about here. And of course what you say about the news is quite true. I try to encourage people to look up the ratings of the media outlets done by several nonpartisan international organizations which rate based on both the level of factual content and whether it's skewed left or right or remains centered. I recently found an organization, Ground News, that makes that easy for people by providing an app and website which pools articles on each story from many media sources from around the world. For each story, they write a centered summary of it, show the bias of the articles used, and links to the articles themselves and showing that media outlets bias. That's what the free part provides, more or less. There's also parts one can pay to use to have more tools and info like factual content.

[@KrisandMike]

@@marckaufman2556 That is very interesting. I will be looking up Ground News. The media these days are pretty disappointing. One of the things that bugs me is how they report health news. It's like "if you do x then your chance of getting y goes up 300%". Sounds terrible right? But many times I have dug into the study and the .2% went to .6%. Very misleading. I just feel the middle logical pragmatic ground is vacant these days in most countries. Anyway take care.

[@marckaufman2556]

@@KrisandMike Yes, that kind of medical reporting is ludicrous. And half the time, what's reported as bad for us one year is later declared not to be a problem, like what was said about eggs 30 yrs or so ago.

[@leapintothewild]

@@KrisandMike Had to laugh at your comment about medical ‘news’ because my doc recently put me on a statin for cholesterol, and if you read double-blind studies not funded by a pharma company, something like 80% of your cholesterol is based on genetics, and of the 20% due to diet, you’re lucky to get a 2% improvement of that with a statin alone! So I’m working hard on changing diet and exercise for improvement rather than taking a drug with tons of potential negatives, but if you listen to expensive ads or ‘news’, drugs are the only hope. Anyhoo, everything with a grain of salt - unless you also have high blood pressure. 😂 This is a GREAT, fact-based video - thanks for all the hard work! I’m a spreadsheet geek and really appreciate all your charts.

[@tomsaxton970]

Nicely done and I appreciate the risk assessment concept. I'm a fellow expat in Riobamba(4 years).

[@KrisandMike]

Thanks. I appreciate it. Thanks for watching 👍. Eventually we will be traveling around and make it out your way.

[@tomsaxton970]

@@KrisandMike using your 21 deaths in Chimborazo, I calculated a 4.6 rate here which is less than Virginia (US) where I lived all my life. More likely to die driving in Riobamba than to be murdered for sure, haha.

[@terencenewcomb4039]

Awesome video Milke

[@KrisandMike]

Thanks 👍

[@shawnmcdonald9352]

Thank you, Mike.

[@KrisandMike]

👍

[@luzlopez3281]

Hola🌈 crime is everywhere very sad , be safe don’t go out at night and maybe get a dog for outside, if we see news which to me is always bad we would be scared to live this beautiful life🌴 be carful n just live and enjoy Ecuador🌈🙏🏼 many blessing

[@KrisandMike]

We have two dogs and lots of cameras. We are good. We love it here.

[@tomg1247]

I concur with many commenters--great report. We're heading for our exploratory visit to Cuenca next week. I once wanted to live in New Orleans. What a sad state of affairs on so many levels in that historic city.

[@KrisandMike]

Thanks 👍. I was in New Orleans many years ago. It's really too bad. Thanks for watching

[@mr-vet]

Great info, overall. It’s apparent that you put in some work on this.

[@KrisandMike]

Thanks very much 👍

[@dovygoodguy1296]

Bukele made El Salvador a much safer place and the people are very pleased... Excellent video! Please do more videos like this! Yes, you make me want to come to Ecuador more then before (Cuenca or Manta).

[@KrisandMike]

Hey thanks for watching. Glad you liked it.

[@Globetrotter5198]

Great info and perspective.

[@KrisandMike]

Thanks 🙏

[@whacked00]

Best discussion on the subject I have seen. Thanks so much for the rigor you put into this. Risk acceptance is interesting. People tend to accept much higher risks when they feel like they understand them or they have some level of control. A good example of this is driving. I'm betting most people who want to have a car in ecuador aren't going to be as concerned about the high death rate because they feel that they can mitigate that through careful or skillful driving.

[@KrisandMike]

Thanks so much for your kind words. I tried to be as accurate as possible. Take care

[@menotq]

Wow, Thank you, sir, for your balanced research & comparable graph perspectives I wish gov't would educate casual users that their consumerism helps cartels. Or eliminate the " bad war on drug policies" perhaps a radical idea but legalize all drugs to stop cartel profiteering! Yes, we experienced tragedy in Malacotas the other night as well, Very sad indeed! Wishing you both safe and continued living in this beautiful country, great video!! keeping comments shorter than id like but down to using sticky keys,jaja

[@KrisandMike]

Thank you very much for your kind words. Yes there are many approaches that are possible. Take care.

[@mars54mars54]

what an excellent video, thanks for this reality check!

[@KrisandMike]

Thanks very much 👍

[@dovygoodguy1296]

Could you do a video with perspective about the nature of the drug cartel phenomenon in Ecuador?

[@KrisandMike]

Thanks for your suggestion. Keep watching 👍

[@dovygoodguy1296]

@@KrisandMike I am one of those depressed people watching what is happening to Canada and the US, and thinking about how to spend as little time there as possible!

[@PhoenixBeI]

I grew up in Quito during the 70s and 80s. Since then, Guayaquil, Manabí, and Esmeraldas were considered dangerous when compared to the rest of the country. But Guayaquil always took the lead, with Esmeraldas in 2nd place. Danger may have increased, but it's not a new thing. They've been having problems controlling these areas even before the word "narco" was in vogue.

[@KrisandMike]

Thanks for watching and your insight.

[@leapintothewild]

Uh, yeah. In a few months, I’m selling my house in Tennessee to travel. One of those red states on your map (in more ways than one) and people have the audacity to ask me about crime in other countries… 🙄 And we’re also one of those states where anyone 21+ can open carry a firearm with NO training.

[@KrisandMike]

The world is a big amazing place. Having travel experiences are extremely satisfying.

[@pauladuncanadams1750]

As you pointed out about risk and age, the US population is an aging population so the risks for dying from disease will naturally be high. Not to invalidate your point here, but to emphasize what you said about young vs old population.

[@KrisandMike]

Good point 👉

[@surf01er66]

I live the outskirts of Honolulu , and crime here is off the charts. Shooting last night, 17 year old dead. Catch & release here is the normal . Not safe anymore, no politics ......Aloha

[@KrisandMike]

Thanks for watching. The world is becoming a much more dangerous place. Take care of yourself.

[@asdrubalvivanco2301]

Don't worry, Ecuador will have soon a new president and I'm sure things will change for better because right now there is an inept and corrupt president, good for nothing. Mike, you've done an excellent work with the crime statistics. Loved it!

[@KrisandMike]

Thanks for your kind words 🙏.

[@dovygoodguy1296]

God knows leaders are pathetically inept in Canada and the US!!

[@Kburloco]

My dad once told me: Remember to keep your words soft and sweet because you never know from day to day which ones you will have to eat! It seems those words will apply to your statement.

[@dovygoodguy1296]

@@Kburloco I love it!

[@mr-vet]

There have been a number of murders by Sicarios / narco-affiliated thugs in Balzar and Colimas in Guayas Province over the past year or so as well. Media and government stats in Ecuador may not be that accurate, as they may be somewhat suppressed, in part due to bureaucracy or fear. My wife is from Ecuador (but left when she was 18 in the mid 90s. She still has family who live in the 2 aforementioned towns as well as in Guayaquil and Salinas--and some family who moved to Spain (Barcelona) over 20 years ago.

[@KrisandMike]

Yes about 80% of homicide are cartel related. Gang on gang violence.

[@prieten49]

Thanks for collecting all those statistics! We now have more perspective on risks and dangers not just in Ecuador but ALL OVER THE WORLD! There are many risks we can do something about and others, less. I don't smoke and I don't drink alcohol. But I do have a sweet tooth. I have to work on that!

[@KrisandMike]

Thanks 👍. Thanks for watching

[@BPe-ie9je]

mine is 100% chocolate. moving to EC will help. ((who is buying this cocaine? funding transport ? profit , guns transport both directions , texas border.....))

[@sweetart9905]

Sad news. Crime is increasing everywhere. Be safe!

[@KrisandMike]

Thanks 🙏

[@pedroblanco8311]

Hi Mike, I hope you're doing well. Would you be kind enough to configure this to feature Spanish subtitle options? Thanks for your consideration.

[@KrisandMike]

Yes, just sitting down to do in now. I did remember this time!! Thanks for watching. Give me 10min.

[@pedroblanco8311]

@@KrisandMike Thanks so much!

[@davereed5414]

Thanks for digging all that up. Eyes wide open.

[@KrisandMike]

No problem. Thanks for watching 👍

[@BPe-ie9je]

I didnt see ecuador on last chart. I'll look again.

[@KrisandMike]

Thanks for watching 👍

[@eternitywithjesus777]

I noticed the drug use in Northern hemisphere compared to southern hemisphere more than anything else.

[@KrisandMike]

Yes exactly

[@herminioaleman6637]

Unfortunately Still in 2024 Crime and Security is a Mayor Concern in Ecuador...The Gov is Fighting Back Really Hard But Still is a Serious Problem...I Bought a Nice Property in Salinas and Love That City and I Love Ecuador and The People ...Hope This Situation Get Better Soon...Cause I Dont Want To Live Ecuador ...I Know many Exp that Had Take That Decisition already ...But Still I Trust that Soon The Gov and The People in Ecuador fix This Problem for Good...❤❤❤

[@KrisandMike]

Yes I totally understand. I have another video coming out in a few days with September stats. It looks promising.

[@westcoastkitties]

The shooting was from organized crime towards police. Most of crime in Ecuador is between gangs, 99% of it. Homicide rate in Ecuador doesn’t compare to USA Among advanced developed countries, the United States has the highest homicide rate: 7.8 per 100,000 population in 2020. Most others, including Germany, France, Italy, Japan, Spain and the United Kingdom, have homicide rates that are a fraction of this level.

[@KrisandMike]

Yes homicide rate in USA is much higher when compared with other developed countries. Thanks for watching.

[@joserivera7349]

We say here that if you do not get involved with cartel people then you have nothing to fear. When democracy is back to runing the government we will return to peace and democracy just like our country has always been!

[@KrisandMike]

Thanks for watching 👍

[@jetv1471]

IMHO it depends on the type of crime . I am a suburb of the highest gun deaths city…. But it is not that threatening to me … it’s just the “ boys conducting business . “ I would be afraid to be someplace however that Americans are not welcome , and I would be afraid to be someplace with kidnapping ( although we be poor and not worth kidnapping ) .. but will stay clear of places that have political kidnapping. What is the “kind” of crime I’m Ecuador ?

[@KrisandMike]

True you have to look at the type of crimes and how they may affect you. Not just a numbers games. Thanks for watching

[@jazzioldchick5696]

I have to disagree with you on your theory that young criminals will mature and become responsible citizens. If these young people have no education and have not been raised with any values, how is getting older going to enhance their level/sense of responsibility?

[@KrisandMike]

Thanks for watching. It's really not my theory. I found out about it when researching the topic. Apparently it happens all over the world. Take care

[@BPe-ie9je]

Dont you think, Mike, its speific? targeted? hmmm, good choice of words? at lunch guy(s) walked in killed a guy at restaurant in Manta last year. It was very 'targeted''''.....specific. gang related.

[@KrisandMike]

Yes almost all gang murders are targeted but unfortunately innocent bystanders get killed too.

[@tibzig1]

Malaysia!

[@KrisandMike]

Yup a big world of amazing places.

[@BPe-ie9je]

Mike the 40 yr old male is still a big #.

[@KrisandMike]

True

[@proyectonuevo7487]

Unfortunately the ties of the Mexican cartels extend to Ecuador, these killings are ordered by Mexicans from Mexico, that plague of drug trafficking is widespread

[@KrisandMike]

Thanks for watching. Very true.

[@paulz6491]

And it’s fueled by a plague of drug use especially in America….