In 2023, we were overcome by uncertainty and fatigue. The year passes painfully, however, we have to get out of the situation we got into.

The hypothesis about the narco-state was confirmed, unfortunately, by the investigations of the Metastasis case, which, as he says, is the terminal condition of a cancer patient and that in this case the symptoms created an atmosphere of public secrecy. circles of political and economic power, in the areas of analysis, in media research and, for the most part, on social networks, if not how to explain the circulation of so many luxury cars, the construction and sale of buildings and hundreds of businesses that are not sold for anything, but remain open and are part larger chains. Simply put, laundromats everywhere.

To make everything transparent

The framework of the Metastasis case shows that a network of these characteristics cannot be created overnight, it requires high-level allies to hide evidence and make suspicions invisible, it needs operators of all kinds and in all places, with a business plan, if you can call it that, with the exception that this plan uses violence, insecurity and similar crimes to make it work.

We will need a lot of time to successfully fight against organized crime and rebuild the social fabric, because the drug state touches the most sensitive fibers. If yesterday we were closing because of the pandemic, now we are doing it because of the fear of attacks, robbery, kidnapping, violence. The fight against organized crime implies an intelligent national agreement, without a political shirt, with ethical and efficient resources and personnel. However, if justice does not change, nothing will change.

Metastasis of impunity

Yesterday, former president Lenín Moreno told us that there was no table served, and now there is not even a table. The economic situation is too complex and requires many factors to revive.

It is not only about macro figures, but above all about creating trust inside and outside the country with a strong rule of law, showing that we are restoring peace and moving away from violence, changing cannibalistic but also picturesque political behavior, i.e. the tasks are medium and long-term and are not exclusive to the political class and economic power, they also involve citizens in their role of active and demanding oversight of their leaders.

The year of the election campaign is coming and in these few remaining months of the government, the population’s expectations are focused on the president’s management and the results he could achieve. It did not get an easy or prosperous country, but it has a majority that was clear at the polls: it does not want the past and is full of expectations for something new that could be born. The message was to get out of polarization in all its spheres and find minimal and common aspects from which Ecuador can be projected: zero malnourished children, reduce the number of violent deaths, improve access to education, have an ethical turn in politics, live with dignity. (OR)