Spiraling gang violence in Ecuador: Who is in control? | DW News

Ecuador's president has declared war on drug gangs amid spiraling violence.
Soldiers are patrolling the streets and schools and shops are closed in many big cities.
Unrest broke out when a state of emergency was declared over a drug lord's prison escape. Inmates are holding more than 100 prison staff hostage. Gunmen also stormed a news station and held journalists captive on live TV.
00:00 Background
03:18 Steven Dudley, InSight Crime
08:33 Adriana Noboa Arregui, Journalist
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#ecuador #stateofemergency #gangs

[@elchivodesandoval2888]

That's the issue. They keep getting labeled as cartels but the moment they attack public property that should allow them to put them under terrorism attacks.

[@MrGoomer12]

That's because when crime originations start doing attack on state ran entities and also light fires to disrupt everyday life vs organized crime and fight within the Mafia world it becomes terrorism

[@AngelicoCiudad]

Yeah, cartels are the only ones who successfully escape the "terrorist" label. Not even R3publicans can label them as such since it be considered r3cist or tyranny from the media.

[@GustavoEmmanueldeangolasilva]

Yes is act of terrorism, but with marcial law that can be excusse to change even of power.

[@elchivodesandoval2888]

@@GustavoEmmanueldeangolasilva it ain't the u.s. they're just washed with money that's all. They can fallow the example of el.salvador or become like el Salvador before president BUKELE

[@lessthanzer0828]

That part

[@AlbertBormant]

This only proves El Salvador correct

[@leonardocolossi2270]

no, stop using drugs

[@dieglhix]

Bukele was always correct and didn't need proofs

[@Bootman899]

El Salvador has completely turned around. I can't believe I am going there in this year!

[@carolederent7638]

​@@leonardocolossi2270Bukele did great in his country. Ecuador could use a more tough on crime and upend the entire judicial and legislative branches. Go Bukele!!!

[@user-rw311]

The gangs in Ecuador make the gangs in El Salvador look like children in a Mickey Mouse sand box.

[@josuealcivar9807]

As a 27 years old Ecuadorian, I think Steven Dudley is very well educated about this issue, he seems to understand it very well. (even pornounced "choneros" correctly) So I'm glad this is being accurately disccussed abroad. Please don't support drugs, every line of cocaine consummed in the US and Europe promotes murder and crime in South America.

[@jaro551]

A basic level of Spanish will teach you pronounciation. I wouldn't base someone's ability to speak on the matter on that.

[@riskinhos]

@@jaro551 I do. if you can't even speak the language you shouldn't be talking about it.

[@josuealcivar9807]

@@jaro551 Trust me, I do care a lot for my pronunciation to speak English, but many non-native people don't care much about how they speak Spanish. I've been watching many videos from several news anchors and they have missed the correct pronunciation, for the gangs names, my city Guayaquil, and other stuff. A basic class can teach you how, but practice is a personal matter. I myself know that, for I am an English teacher here.

[@nobody-iz3fu]

​@@riskinhosso don't talk about Russia or China unless you speak the language? Did you even think about that before you said it?

[@jaro551]

@@josuealcivar9807 Really? Would it be correct to say that those who don't care are more likely to be US citizens? It's my presumption, because I'd expect most people to care about their pronounciation. However I don't care too much about accent per sé, but it's not the same thing.

[@NotALeftie]

Ecuador should follow the example of El Salvador. They arrested all gang members in the country and imprisoned them. El Salvador is now so much safer.

[@joshlidowdie24]

Innocent people and people with normal tattoo's were wrongly imprisoned too. It's another way for the elite to get rid of the people, living in the World's Paradises. DON'T BE NAIVE YOU COULD BE NEXT!!!!!! WHEREVER YOU ARE!!!!🌎

[@nikolas_5629]

Duterte/Philipine tackle drug cartels during his govern, change decades rotten country became secure/safe one. But mostly west medias called him as human right abuser... If western allies dislike any leader, they'll pose those thugs/ violence group as human right fighter...😅

[@pauskie6]

❤

[@user-rw311]

The gangs in Ecuador make the gangs in El Salvador look like children in a Mickey Mouse sand box.

[@anibalmiranda2733]

It is safer,today is 01/09/2024 ,I came to visit My family I wanted to SEE and hear first hand whether the critics of the current administration were right or not,I've gone to diferent áreas,rural or cities,and My surprise has been great,I have talked to different people, young,old,all of them are in agreement of what the goverment is doing,and not Only THAT but in other áreas,as a result of his policies one can SEE more money been invested like in business,any nation can tackle crime but goverments don't want that,they know that caos can be used for policitical reazons or monetary gain.

[@RickSuaz]

Ecuador must implement the law just like President Bukele has done in El Salvador. I wish the ecuatorian people the very best and stay safe during these hard times.

[@muscuut]

Ecuador needs to go the Bukele way and get their country back from these criminals.

[@cannibalronny7314]

Duterte way rather

[@barlekha1971]

@@cannibalronny7314 Exactly

[@federicovilla3480]

President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador 🇸🇻 proved once and for all that these challenges are NOT insurmountable but very fixable if there's an honest desire by the Government to do it's job.

[@emperorpatrisia5771]

Exactly!!!

[@etimsam]

AWAKE ye that sleepeth. The Lord GOD, your Maker has shown you all of these before they come to pass. REPENT ye; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand! Any hath ears?

[@federicovilla3480]

@@etimsam I ain't hath no ears!

[@federicovilla3480]

@@moe4561 in El Salvador of the 72k arrested 6k were released within weeks because it was determined they were innocent fairly quickly. El Salvador went from one of the most violent nations in the world to the safest one in the Western Hemisphere in less than 2 years.

[@federicovilla3480]

@@moe4561 it was easy to tell who was a gang member in El Salvador since ONLY they had those gang tattoos and it was ONLY they the government targeted. Once safely jailed there was plenty of time to sort out guilty vs innocent in a more extensive way thus resulting in the release of thousands.

[@BizzeeB]

I'm in Ecuador now - unless you're on the coast (where it was dangerous long before 3 days ago), things are already under control. The gangs just wanted to test the balls of the new president, but these ridiculous "golpes de estado" always fizzle out pretty much immediately after the initial attack because they are being led by a bunch of illiterates and 16-year olds with guns they don't even know how to use, and they are fighting against an organized police force and a national army. The real victims of this are going to be the people whose jobs are affected by a two-month nightly curfew, and the towns that depend on tourism for their survival, as thousands of scared foreigners who don't understand the region cancel their trips in an unnecessary panic.

[@buddysurfs2]

Hello there, lived in Ecuador for awhile. Actually retired there in Canoa. Sadly I had to leave about a year or so after the quake. I supported all those small businesses there on the coast, and was in the process of opening one myself. Probably learning Espanol was the hardest part but I got through that. Yes being between Colombia and Peru where all the drugs came from, it was like we were in the middle but still very peaceful. Just my feelings only but when Correa was prez things seemed to change a little, I'm sure only because of the money, bridges built, highways paved, those small concrete (Madubi) ? houses were awful. After that nothing. Things will get better but in the mean time it's gonna be some rough road ahead. cheers,

[@iceescape]

I hope Ecuador doesn't become the next Haiti. When the violent, evil criminals take over, it's disastrous for the civilians and the entire country.

[@cecibelvaldez5039]

We already are😢

[@lordgodalmigthy]

Who says criminals take over haiti😂 politicians use gangs to control cities so they can force citizens to vote them those who oppose will be killed it looks like gangs vs gangs but its actually politicians vs politicians

[@trvst5938]

Is Wagner involved? Africa sees so much violence because Wagner sells “coup packages” to African war lords.

[@trancepriest]

@@cecibelvaldez5039 Do you guys practice voodoo in Ecuador?

[@Ebc1129]

🙏🙏🙏

[@rather_be_a_cat]

The 2 main reasons are the government allowing it to happen for years as it brought in revenue and the government allowing the prisoners to run the prisons.

[@ManuelMeda-po2pm]

Sounds like Mexico's situation.

[@elir.torres8642]

Bukele should arrive shortly to advise Equador about building anothe SupeMega prison.

[@b-hc7ov]

A mega prison is not necessarily the solution if they won't be able to control the prisons they will just have a bigger problem and a waste of money

[@user-rw311]

The gangs in Ecuador make the gangs in El Salvador look like children in a Mickey Mouse sand box.

[@LexlutherVII]

El Salvador went from the murder capital in the world to one of the safest countries in the world, in just 2 years, strong Lion like Bukele is to think to,

[@AngelicoCiudad]

Bukele went up against gangbangers not cartels. I never saw or heard bukele even stepping up against cartels, so he would rather stay in El Salvador where major cartels could care less of it.

[@charlesgrant-skiba5474]

These gangs have more money than the budget of some countries. They are internationally connected and have corrupted many politicians, policemen and other influential people around the world. They even have links with some foreign secret services. It's not just crime, it's also politics, not so much in Ecuador as in many other countries.

[@jamesfreeman2258]

Its,corruption

[@AzrenKaleBolles-Pohja]

Show The Gangs No Mercy, they don't deserve Prison. Why waste tax payers money.

[@kiliki1124]

Good to see Ecuador taking control of their country

[@robertoravera9568]

I have been to Ecuador several times because I work in mental health. The reality of Ecuador has been the same in the last few years. I spoke with many colleagues, and they said criminality is the most significant problem in the country. Unfortunately, none of the past politicians could deal with and prevent Narco's power. The consequence of this lack of honesty and lighting policy is related to the present situation. I'm so sorry for the poor Ecuadoreanians living in a terrible situation.

[@teiman]

Is hard to fight a enemy that has billions dollars when you have millions of dollars

[@smrk2452]

You can’t legislate hearts and minds. The question is, why do people choose to live like this?

[@michaelellringer5600]

And the U.S. has it's Narco power in the form of Big Pharma

[@highvibefreqzshow5967]

I can’t imagine the gang leadership being too happy with these fools looking to appease their egos. Probably got them into trouble with their own gangs and that comes with severe consequences. More severe than any government will met out to them. They brought international attention to their gang’s activities. Now the heat is on. Like I said, I just can’t imagine the gang bosses being cool with this move.

[@YujiroHanmaaaa]

Where are the people who critized Bukele??? This is what happen if you lose control on gangs and criminals

[@jibril2950]

Ecuador should learn from El Salvador

[@jonathaneffemey944]

Thanks for posting

[@sulblazer]

I like how the Peruvian step up in border security is just a couple dozen guys with shields on the road.

[@clownworld3913]

Bukele has the answer.

[@postmortemarg]

En el Peru tambien habian narcoterroristas en los 90s, pero hubo in presidente que les dio plomo y los elimino. Pero muchos inocentes murieron inevitablemente, y por eso se procedio a encarcelarlo por 15 años.

[@stewartviera4774]

Hopefully people in the US, Asia, Europe sees this and think twice about buying / consuming drugs and the repercussions of it.

[@ManishSingh-wl5ey]

Drugs addicts never think about how they are indirectly killing thousands of people, the younger generation is literally screwed, even in India it's increasing day by day and the government isn't serious about it. Hopefully the government will take action soon

[@ernst91]

Also South and Central America.

[@ToneyCrimson]

Its the governments fault, decriminalizing the drugs and making it possible for addicts to get it in a safe and easy way would fix so many of the problems.

[@ManishSingh-wl5ey]

@@ToneyCrimson even if it's not legal people do consume

[@cyberianwolf790]

Yep, this will make millions quit. Comon man.

[@MassagePerfect-hh3sm]

Back in 2011 i traveled all over ecuador solo. Walked the streets of Guayaquil at night by myself. This is sad to see

[@federicovilla3480]

Well, now the world has a blueprint for success in Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele. The question is, will the President of Ecuador do what it takes and will the people back him?

[@hoohaa559]

The world literally can't catch a break, always some attrocities or wars going on

[@CarolRogers50]

May the lord strengthen the good in battle against evil 🙏

[@Fl4ngerr]

But how does the lord know what's legal and illegal, what's good and evil?

[@NotANameist]

Amen

[@khadijah3519]

BLESS ECUADOR ❤️

[@jaimecortez7241]

You didn't talk about that they're killing the prison guards too! They are hanging the guards...

[@user-vm1qr5cv9i]

Who? The gov or the criminals?

[@MrOliverAC]

Finally someone had the guts to mention about the high demand on US and Europe

[@Magnus_Mundus]

I have much respect for any young person who grow up in an enviroment like this or similiar to this and wants to become a police officer. I would not have the guts for this.

[@maxmunjanja5403]

But you will realize the police are the first beneficiaries of crime and cartels. They are paid off first to look the other way or facilitate crime

[@BiggestHater754]

There is still some, there was a group of police men and civilians trying to fightall the cartels in Ecuador.... pretty sure they've been erradicated.

[@garycole520]

This report and others like it highlight the madness behind drug abuse. There is a trail of death and mayhem leading right up to that “snort.”

[@quakerninja]

yikes I didn't know about the prison staff hostages

[@bcatbb2896]

That’s cuz most western outlets didn’t cover it I had to search up Asian and middle eastern outlets to find any video and details about it

[@thomasjordan5578]

El Salvador is a good frame of reference for this set of tactics.

[@sqrd3536]

There needs to be a rule of law in every country for protection of citizens.

[@KOKOBC]

dang I was planning on visiting this summer, maybe not

[@pebbles4523]

For anyone watching, this please understand that this didn't start once Correa left office, the violence skyrocketed after he left because they started to go after the cartels and wouldn't just let them be as they did before. During his term cartels were almost legitimized as they had deals with the government on staying peaceful if they were allowed to do as they pleased. For context, the US military base that had been in Manta specifically to protect said routes against trafficking was removed, effectively giving way for these criminals to profit; as well as eliminating the need for criminal records for people coming from neighboring countries already struggling with narcotics... Regardless of intent, its effects cannot be denied. Later governments' inability to crack down on these groups just amplified the problem. By the time they started to try and stop them they were already as powerful and connected as they are now, leading us to the current situation filled with ineffective measures and chaos. Please be careful with what information these guests share to such international and important media... we must be very clear with what allowed Ecuador to descend into madness so we can fix this problem and effectively stop it from happening elsewhere.

[@gabya2684]

You are so right!

[@MrMarcosema]

We will win this, he have a brave president and a loyal patriotic military, we were overrunned only because of corrupt past governments but now things will change

[@noelmaher4633]

Ecuador starting to look like Sweden...

[@eduardtarniceriu102]

No yet , but close 🤣

[@serge7530]

They need Bukele as consultant right away.

[@mairepcod4063]

Thanks,

[@rafifputera_]

These kids think they're guerrillas from Far Cry 6 and want to scare the government into lowering surveillance on them, lol.

[@hablah5015]

Bravo...sometimes need to put the iron fist of the law in your hand nice President Same happen in my country in Philippines my President before war on drug it was successful..in any war they have corateral damage. I hope minimal risk to Ecuador civilian.

[@godzillasballs]

Similar to what Booker did in Newark, NJ.

[@tech-lm8xl]

I am sorry for the ecuador people, i wish that the other country will help ecuador 😢

[@melatronuk3701]

Other countries don’t just help for nothing they will want a piece of the pie 🥧 and they will install their chosen leaders to control the countries future for their own benefit :( better sorting from within…

[@kdnofyudbn5918]

Ecuador went down when the administration relaxed the visa laws, which I suspect was done because certain criminal organization paid politicians to do so.

[@witchhunter2333]

That a old video capture I seem that long ago.

[@miamitrancemissions6425]

I could literally hear "Ecuador" by Sash! playing in the background......

[@unbreakable0327]

Damn Mexico and Ecuador are becoming Colombia in the 80's crazy

[@Perc-st2yx]

No the worst years of Colombia was 1948-1958 which 200,000 people were killed in Colombia. Mexico the war on drugs started in 2006 and ended in 2019 Between 2006 and 2021 It estimate that 350,000-400,000 people died in total in Mexico since the war on drugs started and more than 80,000 people went missing Mexico cartel have been around since 1980s and they are still around and Colombia cartel operated in 1979-1993 now Colombia export of cocaine are paramilitary

[@3373_High_PinG]

The guy with the sky mask amd the rusty revolver😂😂😂 hes living life

[@einfachweggehen2785]

They make it like Bukele in El Salvador. Next step will be making Bitcoin legal tender.

[@fredm.2699]

You can’t win the drug war. Why? Because the customer is in Hollywood mansion ready to pay double if needed and they will want their drugs.

[@kareemmobarek3897]

Do as el Salvador

[@sherifbadwy3383]

30 minutes to make it to the tv station? Wow. How long for the police to make it to a regular neighborhood?

[@prebensvensson3078]

WELL DONE EQUADOR.....MAKE A NET OF INFORMANTS...

[@latshenry5904]

So the time they stormed in on the live, no police or soldier couldn’t reach the news station

[@cloudforest4087]

Same thing that's happening in Mexico dearly. It's unfortunate what can happen to whole countries.

[@j.whisper2379]

Obrador is an old wimp!

[@michaelellringer5600]

Miami condo developers love reading this. Any time this happens anytime in South/Central America, the rich fly to Miami.

[@bennylot]

Brings Bukele. He has enough balls to handle this kind of thugs.

[@user-rw311]

The gangs in Ecuador make the gangs in El Salvador look like children in a Mickey Mouse sand box.

[@omrtnz5100]

Yes!

[@ew4096]

I was in Ecuador for whole month of March 2023. I travelled up and down several cities and villages in the cordillera. I spoke to many local officials about any criminal concerns. During March 2023 everyone stated Ecuador did have some i ssues with Cartels and newly Venezuelan immigration, but did not exibit any issues with danger for tourists. How different it has become in a very few months.

[@JasonPepin]

I’ve been to Ecuador many times. I don’t understand why cops in Ecuador carry guns without ammunition. See 1:29 the cop has a guy against the wall and clearly there is no magazine or bullets in his sidearm. How are the Ecuadorian police to protect themselves and the citizens against armed (with bullets) gang members? I’m genuinely asking because I don’t understand.

[@JasonPepin]

If the Government is not arming the police then the Government must be in on it.

[@strangementalitypaperYT]

A lot of my students fled the gangs in Latin America. Sometimes I wonder how much safer they are in Southeast Dallas until I see things like this.

[@ovniusa15]

Poor doggo ran from the gunshots 😢

[@AgatBro]

scary 😰

[@Kyle.02]

America needs to assist Ecuador and El Salvador

[@burtonexoticbullies.2313]

America needs to mind it's business it's has its own problems

[@ticiusarakan]

жеесть...

[@34ofaninchofbrain80]

It's almost as bad in new Zealand now. The Ganges are running the country and the police and we have no army. People are frightened to go out a lot of the time. It's a result of a very weak and corrupt labour government.

[@SebasL10]

Let’s see what will happen! This is nuts

[@libertyjustice2703]

The simple solution is for people to STOP USING DRUGS!!!!

[@efgtest]

A much better solution is "Stop believing in what you're seeing on TV"

[@luuu5207]

I don't know much about Ecuador but the attack on the TV station can be interpreted that the "mafia" is losing control and needs to put a statement

[@colbyduyck1861]

The cop in the subway frisking someone didn’t have a magazine in his pistol😆

[@buddysurfs2]

Hah I see you caught that! When I lived in Ecuador I noticed the same thing. Poliz were around many times, I looked at their sidearms, mostly empty. I remember thinking back then how different it was from the States.

[@colbyduyck1861]

@@buddysurfs2 yeah I’d rather have no gun then a empty one 😆

[@manuelmolina2385]

They need president Bukele in Ecuador to clean the house n btw the human rights better stay out of this i don't want to hear them defending criminals 😡

[@Adam_Johns]

Call Bukele!

[@alpbilenler]

1:29 Why is that glock empty??

[@corporatemaq]

The demand is higher..smh

[@sharonjames2041]

😢The GOVERNMENT is the PROBLEM 😢😢❤

[@andresamautagonzaleszapata9237]

SOS we need international support for the WAR, our president doesnt have the power for fight against the Gangs

[@tracysmith245]

a lot of immigrants come over because of these gangs stop the problem no more immigrants

[@yourregulartexan1113]

do you guys have oil?

[@moenibus]

Farmer's protest in YOUR country, why don't you cover it?

[@OrionOsiris777]

They don't want more to catch on. Defer attention

[@huluqi3972]

BRO Search: German farmers strike: A sign of wider dissatisfaction? | DW News

[@hdrsiy2132]

Just go "L'Savador" Ecuador !!

[@dkg_gdk]

In Colombia ten people are killed everyday because of narcos violence and people just got used to it, the US lost the war on drugs in the US and in Mexico and in Colombia and it continues to spread

[@cripbk2147]

Its all business bro

[@b21raider27]

These gangs are brutal. Maybe ask the US for help.

[@BRZbazzanx]

Government US Ban GTA 6 drugs.

[@ObserversOfHumanity]

Legalize it..that way nobody can make money off it..and the gangs loose money ..

[@BESTOFTHEBEST123]

That is fantastico

[@DeLaCruzer11]

That's where the famous Galapagos Island right!

[@FoteinaOphiuchus]

stop at 2:52 and take a closer look, they are very young :(

[@bladestarX]

People are not talking about it; but expect a massive number of immigrants from Ecuador to head to the U.S. just a Venezuelans are.

[@johngjerry1892]

Why keeping gangs for the prices,could 💰 999

[@Edgar-and-Wrench]

Prison purge?

[@Bubbalaurens]

Maybe if they were to address the issues as they would be in the UAE.

[@thomascrowe3407]

Business is on thing. Violence is another. A general message to gang land to play nice. How many groups started off this way, then legitimized their ventures?

[@customplace23]

They need help from Bangladesh “RAB” They will train how to control,( no more capture they don’t have any cure)

[@paxcssr]

Send Duterte, the former president of the Philippines to Ecuador. there will be peace there.

[@ManfromJapan12]

Too little too late

[@highmountainwolf]

Can't there be a another Rodrigo Duterte??

[@nimacyrus8444]

Its actully greatest news during these years. Someone finaly fighting inner corruption of a goverment with weapon not pragmtic way wich will never works against bad guys

[@etimsam]

AWAKE ye that sleepeth. The Lord GOD, your Maker has shown you all of these before they come to pass. REPENT ye; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand! Any hath ears?

[@hattorihanzo3493]

Take notes from El Salvador and all will be well.

[@juliorosas6141]

Ecuador it's in a very complex position right now. No criminal group at this level can operate inside a country without corruption of the government. So the criminal group gains power because of this. We saw it in Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, central america, Haiti. Fortunately I don’t see the same gangs preparation, equipment even the guns that they're use in Mexico or in Colombia or in Haiti, no yet. Because of this right now it's the moment to fights against this criminal groups before they gain more preparation, firepower and equipment.