In 2019, Ecuador was known as a peaceful tourist destination with a homicide rate of under seven per 100,000. However, by 2023, the country had become the deadliest in mainland Latin America with a homicide rate of almost 45 per 100,000. The surge in violence in Ecuador can be attributed to the rise of organized crime, particularly focused on smuggling cocaine from Colombia to Europe through Ecuadorian ports. This trend is not limited to Ecuador as other countries in Latin America are also grappling with similar issues due to transnational criminal groups expanding their operations.
In response to the escalating violence, governments in the region have adopted mano dura policies characterized by strict and often heavy-handed measures to combat crime. These policies include declaring states of emergency, mass incarceration without discrimination, and deploying the military to maintain order on the streets. These tactics have been inspired by perceived successes in El Salvador where President Nayib Bukele declared a state of emergency following a weekend where 87 people were killed by gangs. The government subsequently incarcerated nearly 80,000 individuals resulting in a significant drop in the homicide rate and a surge in the popularity of President Bukele.
Following this trend, President Daniel Noboa of Ecuador proposed tougher anti-crime measures which were overwhelmingly supported by Ecuadorians through a referendum held on April 21st. These measures include overturning a constitutional ban on extradition of criminals, allowing the army to permanently patrol streets and prisons and eliminating the possibility of early release for well-behaved inmates. With these new measures in place, Ecuador is hopeful that it will be able to curb rising violence and restore safety and security for its citizens.