Ecuador is waging a battle against organized crime. The situation exploded on Tuesday, January 9, when organized criminal groups began attacking schools, prisons and even a television station. In the hours that followed, videos of police and law enforcement officers being killed by criminals began to be released.
In this volatile context, the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee publicly asked Joe Biden to support President Daniel Noboa in his fight against what has been described as "narcoterrorism."
"I am closely monitoring the events unfolding in Ecuador. President Noboa has my full support as he acts to restore order and counter vicious criminals destabilizing the country. The Biden administration must ensure he has the resources to succeed," posted Michael McCaul (R-TX) on his X account, formerly Twitter.
CHM @RepMcCaul: "I am closely monitoring the events unfolding in #Ecuador. President Noboa has my full support as he acts to restore order and counter vicious criminals destabilizing the country. The Biden administration must ensure he has the resources to succeed."
— House Foreign Affairs Committee Majority (@HouseForeignGOP) January 9, 2024
The Biden administration's response
Hours after the outbreak of violence in Ecuador, an important government official expressed his opinion. Brian A. Nichols, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, assumed his post in September 2021. He acts as the Federal Government's guide for diplomatic operations in the Western Hemisphere and advises the Secretary of State on related issues.
On this occasion, he also expressed himself through X to address the situation in the South American country. "Extremely concerned about today's violence and kidnappings in Ecuador. The United States stands with the people of Ecuador. We stand ready to provide assistance to the Ecuadorian government and will remain in close contact with President Daniel Noboa's team regarding our support," the official said.
What is happening in Ecuador?
The South American country is witnessing a series of violent and organized events perpetrated by different criminal groups across the country.
At the same time, authorities are searching for the recently escaped José Adolfo Macías Salazar, alias Fito, leader of the group known as Los Choneros, one of the most dangerous criminal gangs in the country due to its alleged links with Mexican cartels.
To counteract this situation, President Noboa, the youngest president in the history of his country, signed an executive decree declaring Internal Armed Conflict in Ecuador.
"I have signed the executive decree declaring Internal Armed Conflict and I have identified the following organized transnational criminal groups as terrorist organizations and belligerent non-state actors: Águilas, ÁguilasKiller, Ak47, Caballeros Oscuros, ChoneKiller, Choneros, Covicheros, Cuartel de las Feas, Cubanos, Fatales, Gánster, Kater Piler, Lagartos, Latin Kings, Lobos, Los p.27, Los Tiburones, Mafia 18, Mafia Trébol, Patrones, R7, Tiguerones," the president wrote.
In practice, the decree authorizes the Armed Forces to "execute military operations to neutralize these groups."
The criminals were using social networks to post the killings of police and law enforcement officers, which provoked the reaction of the Armed Forces, which has presidential authorization to fight the criminals.
"We can no longer allow our Ecuadorian people to be intimidated by people who do not love this country. Gentlemen, today we will consecrate ourselves and fight to defend this land where we were born. Because if they mess with the Ecuadorian people, they mess with the glorious Armed Forces," said an officer during a tirade that went viral on social networks.
He firmado el decreto ejecutivo declarando Conflicto Armado Interno e identifiqué a los siguientes grupos del crimen organizado transnacional como organizaciones terroristas y actores no estatales beligerantes: Águilas, ÁguilasKiller, Ak47, Caballeros Oscuros, ChoneKiller,… pic.twitter.com/rVfSTFmHlG
— Daniel Noboa Azin (@DanielNoboaOk) January 9, 2024
