2500 years ago Sun Tzu wrote The art of wara text that deserves re-reading at any time, and especially in times of social conflict.

The first suggestion of the book is to diagnose the opponent’s power and strength: “wait and see what the enemy can do,” suggested Master Sun to King Wei, when asked about facing a strong opponent.

We now know that Ecuador’s enemies can kill presidential candidates, blow up neighborhoods, attack hundreds of people, and subjugate the population. However, it may be an exaggeration to say that the present is a valley of tears. Despite the difficulties, the state is the most important organization that any society has; under their command are the army, police, communication networks, control of banks and the ability to determine what to do or not to do. It is important that this power is used appropriately.

A special example worth analyzing is that of El Salvador, and in the mouths of several Ecuadorian politicians, one can notice admiration for the decisions made by the Salvadoran state that managed to reduce the crime rate. However, everything has its price, among them the financing of the system of repression, closure and surveillance of the territory require huge funds that have to come from somewhere.

Funding armies has always been expensive, as documented by Sun Tzu, and war is not the most desirable scenario; but it is necessary to “fix the mess in the world and get rid of those who harm the common people,” said the teachers of Huainan in a text from the second century BC. c.

The costs are not only monetary, they also include time, delivery of information and complicity with the state to achieve the purpose of freeing people from those who harm them.

How willing are families to support political decisions and make financial sacrifices?

However, when criminal networks extend deep into neighborhoods, streets, and institutional structures, warfare becomes more challenging and the costs substantial. How many allies does Ecuador have? To what extent are families ready to support political decisions and make economic sacrifices? In the case of El Salvador, the country finances its massive offensive operation by investing its own resources and international debt; In addition, it has growing public support and maintains the political structure that governs it. The question is how long will such support last?

On the last question, Sun Tzu is optimistic: “When flowing water finds a course, it can even carry stones and break boats in two; when men are employed in a manner that is in harmony with their nature, then orders are carried out like a flowing stream”; and there are constant currents, like rivers that support life where they pass. We hope that this is the case in the Salvadoran case and that Ecuador will find its own peace formula at any cost and with the support of the citizens. (OR)