Under normal conditions, the tributary rivers of the Esmeraldas form a delta of brown-toned waters that become bright when mixed with seawater, they cross the geography feeding on their banks green vegetation that extends to cover the land irrigated by the rains. These conditions became catastrophic due to the stormy rains that turned the meandering river delta into a unique mirror of water, submerging the land, crops, houses, schools, goods, and above all forcing the inhabitants to survive.

The city and province of Esmeraldas have almost always argued between the neglect of the state, the authorities appointed by the governments and those elected, few of them have fulfilled their task of providing welfare to the population; poverty and few employment opportunities are notorious; this is negatively affected by its border location with the Colombian department of Nariño, which has the largest coca crop in the world and produces a large amount of cocaine. The effects of this stroke of nature will worsen if the state does not strengthen its presence and if the authorities are elected with an interest in taking advantage of it.

Emeraldas lives between state of emergency decrees against organized or common crime using assassins, terrorism or sabotage against working citizens, agents of the justice system, army and police deployed, it seems an impossible mission to control order. Continuing to think that the only solution is military pressure is a serious mistake. It is most appropriate for the Government to use the Armed Forces in community projects to increase the trust of citizens.

The city and province of Esmeraldas, almost always, argued between neglecting the state…

A successful project between the community, Petroecuador, the Office of the Mayor and the Armed Forces, through the Navy, took place between 2001 and 2004, when they built houses and intervened in the neighborhoods of El Arenal, Nueva Esperanza, Bellavista and Puerto Limón, which suffered the consequences of a fire caused by by the fuel that leaked from the Esmeraldas refinery and spread through the river. After legal processes, it was determined that Petroecuador must pay money for environmental remediation and compensation to those affected; The institution itself, a group representing those affected and the Mayor’s Office, under pressure to manage the money, eventually invited the Navy, which signed an agreement through the Northern Operations Command and assumed responsibility for planning and resource management, assigned two prominent civilian engineering officers, Capt. Solís and Lt. Leonardo Mármol, and the works were carried out together with the community.

Mr. President of the Republic, you have the powerful tool of executive order, use it; the armed forces are deployed in Esmeraldas trying to control crime and drug trafficking, however, they can be used to support the population that is threatened by natural phenomena like the one that happened and prevent El Niño; there are competent and patriotic soldiers to implement projects like the one mentioned. We must not allow the free, proud, happy and generous people of Esmeralda to drown. (OR)