Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa has closed borders for three days amid the presidential election, citing threats from armed groups. The military presence will be increased in border areas, with ports set for immediate militarization. Noboa is campaigning for reelection after his prior victory in October 2023, as the country faces unprecedented violence from drug trafficking gangs.
Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa has implemented a three-day closure of the country’s borders, starting Saturday, coinciding with the presidential election where he is a candidate. This measure aims to counter potential destabilization from armed groups. Noboa announced on social media that military presence will be reinforced in border regions, and ports will be militarized immediately.
During a recent campaign event, Noboa’s security detained 12 individuals disguised in military and police uniforms, armed with rifles and equipped with a drone. He described them as “narco-terrorists” attempting to disrupt national stability. Noboa, the son of a wealthy banana tycoon, became president in November 2023, stepping in to complete the term of Guillermo Lasso.
In January 2024, after a notorious drug lord escaped from prison, Noboa declared an “internal armed conflict,” which led to a surge in violence throughout the country. Ecuador currently grapples with over twenty gangs involved in drug trafficking, kidnapping, and extortion, creating significant unrest among its 17 million residents.
Once seen as a relatively safe haven, Ecuador has increasingly turned into a logistics center for drug trafficking, with the homicide rate peaking at 47 per 100,000 in 2023. Noboa’s administration has since applied states of emergency and military deployment to reduce the homicide rate to 38.
Upcoming elections will see Noboa and his left-wing rival Luisa Gonzalez face off again, following Noboa’s election victory in October 2023 with 52.1% of the vote. Indigenous leader Leonidas Iza is also among the candidates in the race.
Ecuador has witnessed a significant rise in violence due to drug-related activities in recent years. Formerly regarded as stable, the country is now plagued by gang conflicts, largely attributed to its geographic proximity to Colombia and Peru, the primary cocaine producers. Noboa’s administration faces immense challenges, including rising homicide rates and attempts to destabilize the government by armed groups, emphasizing the need for military intervention and strict border control measures.
In summary, President Daniel Noboa has enacted border closures and military reinforcements in response to threats from armed groups, coinciding with his presidential campaign. The violence in Ecuador, driven primarily by drug trafficking gangs, poses severe risks to stability and safety. As Noboa attempts to solidify his power through these measures, he also faces a competitive electoral environment.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
