A few decades ago, we described Ecuador as an island of peace, surrounded by violent countries, Colombia and Peru, which are still affected by violence, somewhat weakened by presidents determined to fight it, Uribe and Fujimori. In Ecuador, Febres-Cordero completely cut down the Alfaro Vive guerrillas. But the governments that came later were more lenient. The island of peace is gone.

Since 2022, we have suffered a rise in crime, primarily murders between drug cartels. Innocents who are in the middle of the shooting die. Citizens are very upset. The national authorities claim that the action of the forces of order has reduced the territory to gangs who are fighting over what is left.

Kidnapping for extortion is among 11 organized crime-related crimes in Ecuador, according to the Observatory

In recent times, citizens have been suffering from a wave of crime. Videos testify to the attacks of armed minors on drivers. Looting is done even in closed citadels that have a guard. Businesses are collapsing due to the demand for vaccines. Polls reveal that the population considers crime to be the biggest problem, both for the state and for themselves, surpassing unemployment. EL UNIVERSO reports an increase in the number of Ecuadorians defying the Darién plug in their desire to migrate to the US, something previously only Venezuelans did.

In response, citizens retreat to avoid danger. The quality of life deteriorates. Airplanes are full of passengers looking for destinations where they can walk down the street without fear. If we add to that the long economic lethargy, which has been going on for the ninth year already – there are fewer formal jobs in February 2023 than in February 2014 – the result is that young people perceive the country as unattractive and think about emigrating. The country is losing the best of its youth, from professionals with postgraduate degrees earned abroad to high school students with ambitions for prosperity who wouldn’t mind starting from the bottom in the US or Spain. The trend is for families with important jobs to sell them and emigrate en masse to settle in Spain. Ecuador will soon become an aging country with no future.

Can I remember my country, Ecuador?

discourage crime

Even corrupt politicians emigrate to enjoy their ill-gotten money, the result of bribery or embezzlement, deposited in some tax haven. How many high-ranking officials of Correísmo, who are mentioned in the case of money laundering that is being conducted before the American courts, have disappeared without a trace! And from this Government, there are them.

This situation will be resolved when citizens ask the executive to act against crime. That the police not only disrupt drug gangs, but also ordinary criminals. Parliament to approve legal reforms to fight crime. That it is legitimate for the police to shoot criminals in the fight against crimes and that they are not charged if someone dies. to the Constitutional Court that his desire to protect human rights is not limited to the rights of criminals, but that his priority is the rights of citizens. Stop it so that every judge has the power to order the release of convicted criminals.

And to learn to vote well. That in the next elections we elect candidates who promise a firm hand against crime. (OR)