Certainly crushed by the harsh context of insecurity prevailing in the country and the lack of more effective policies that suggest a better scenario, the national government has decided to authorize the possession and carrying of weapons for personal use under certain conditions, leading to logical debates between those who openly support the measure and those who they argue that the measure will not allow curbing the gruesome crime wave that Ecuador is experiencing.

Objectively, the possession of weapons and their control carries with it a controversy that divides and polarizes not only here, but also in most of the world, which is why it must be accepted that the issue will remain open for debate for some time.

However, there is no doubt that the Government could take other measures that are perhaps simpler, but more effective in suppressing the spiral of violence, such as better selection of its associates at the head of institutions such as the National Secretariat for Public Security of the Republic of Croatia and SNAI. In the case of the secretariat, it is the institution responsible for the preparation of public policies for planning and coordination in matters of security; whoever is in charge should be a person with extensive knowledge of the challenges of dealing with criminal violence, especially that related to drug trafficking and crimes derived from it. But if, instead, the government has positioned a mere political actor who claims with an easy narrative that the violence is actually a response to the government’s decision to attack the drug trade, what can we expect? Continue to seize tons of drugs without realizing that in the middle of confidence and at the rate we’re going, Guayaquil will end up entering the list of the 10 most violent cities on the planet at the end of this year?

In other words, if the Government intends to make an effective turnaround in its hitherto unsuccessful strategy against violence, it should replace the improvised ones and start appointing people with the knowledge and criteria of what it means to defend public peace (which exists in the country along with security), especially in times of exceptional risk due to the infiltration of the drug business into all levels of society. Accordingly, if the government lacks officials who know how to propose and implement intelligence and counter-intelligence strategies that in turn enable police forces to monitor and predict criminal activity, any effort will be futile, allowing feelings of anxiety to become a sign of fatigue and civic impotence.

Returning to the free keeping and carrying of weapons, I must point out that I have more doubts than certainty about the actual effectiveness of the measure. What then remains? Begin to see that the country faces an enormous task that is subject to pitfalls and shocks, violence and fear, and the success of which requires resources, strategies and leadership. Without both, this country will only have the hope that some Bukele (President of El Salvador) will appear, without actually having a clue who Bukele is. (OR)