Ecuador has significantly expanded and intensified the role of its armed forces as a direct response to the rapidly escalating violence that is closely linked to the activities of organized crime networks across the country.
In light of this growing security crisis, the government has officially declared states of emergency in multiple regions, a move that grants the military broader authority to conduct coordinated joint operations alongside police forces. As part of these efforts, soldiers have been systematically deployed to patrol public streets, ensure the security of prisons, and actively combat powerful drug trafficking organizations.
Authorities maintain that these extraordinary measures are absolutely necessary to restore public order and protect citizens, while critics caution that such actions may lead to the long-term militarization of internal security, raising concerns about potential impacts on civil liberties and democratic governance.
Sources:
- Reuters
- Al Jazeera
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