Ecuador, once known as the "isla de paz" or "island of peace", has been hit by a surge in violence that has upended the country's reputation in recent years. Crime rates have skyrocketed, making Ecuador one of the most violent countries in the region, and experts say that civilians are caught in the crossfire of criminal groups competing for control of the cocaine supply chain. However, the country's political crisis is making it difficult for authorities to tackle the public security crisis efficiently.
Ecuador's President Guillermo Lasso, who came to power in 2021, is at the center of the storm. He promised lower taxes, more foreign direct investment, and a successful strategy to stop the violence, but he has not delivered on these promises. His popularity has tanked, and he is now facing an impeachment vote over allegations of embezzlement before he took office. The President has denied these allegations.
Lasso's predecessor, Lenin Moreno, put austerity measures in place that led to budget cuts and massive layoffs in the public sector, crippling the controls needed to stop organized crime. Corruption allegations have also plagued the courts and police, with high-ranking officers of Ecuadorian state security forces linked to drug trafficking, and several judges and lawyers. Lasso has implemented several state of emergencies to curb the bloodletting, but critics say that it has been to little success.
Lasso's approach has become more haphazard following the second impeachment attempt. He declared organized criminal groups as terrorists, which empowered the military to pursue gangs despite allegations of corruption that cloud the security forces. He has incentivized the private sector to step in on security issues, which has been a disaster, including authorizing civilians to use guns.
The mood against Lasso further soured this year when a media outlet accused his brother-in-law, Danilo Carrera, of corruption, including a cash-for-executive-positions scheme and fake energy contracts. Lasso asked prosecutors to investigate Carrera over his business and personal relationship with Ruben Cherres, who authorities sought to arrest but was found murdered in late March.
While Lasso is one of the few friends Washington has in the region, even that relationship may be fraying. Several US Congressmembers sent a letter to President Joe Biden urging him to "re-evaluate our government's close relations with the Lasso government" and look into the corruption allegations surrounding Lasso and his associates.
As violence and economic insecurity continue to plague Ecuador, more Ecuadorians are leaving the country, with statistics showing thousands making their way north through the treacherous Darien Gap this year. If Lasso is impeached, Vice President Alfredo Borrero would replace him. However, Lasso has suggested that he will invoke a constitutional clause that would force elections for his role and congress. If early elections are triggered, Lasso has said that he will run again despite losing a lot of political capital.