On January 9, President Daniel Noboa declares a non-international armed conflict and declares a group of criminal groups terrorists. Since then, Ecuador has been in a state of internal war. Was this action necessary?

A few days before Decree 111, the country experienced a wave of car bomb attacks in several cities in the country; one of the most dangerous criminals in the country escaped (they still haven’t explained how he escaped), there are riots in the prisons again, and like never before in our history, a group of terrorists invaded the television channel to take them hostage, while they were broadcasting live. Some of these events were repeated over the course of two years, however, on this occasion, these events were experienced as a new peak of violence, we perceived it as being overwhelmed, and the state institutions were not only unable to control it. that they were penetrated and controlled by narco-terrorism. The danger of this feeling is that in the imagination of the citizens, on a symbolic level, the state was defeated, did not have the ability to face the danger that threatens us and, above all, did not fulfill its most basic mission: security, life and justice; so the legitimacy of its existence is called into question.

What should be the scope of the activities of the Armed Forces during the internal armed conflict in Ecuador? That’s what our columnists say

Dishonest company

In this sense, the decision of President Daniel Noboa is absolutely necessary. The state must deploy its forces, repeat its presence and regain confidence in the necessity and legitimacy of its existence. However, although the action was necessary, one should not be naive and think that this will put an end to drug trafficking, criminal groups and drugs. If the experience of neighboring countries shows us anything, it is precisely that the “war on drugs” cannot be won. So why the war?

In the short term, the state regains its physical and symbolic presence in the country, asserting its primary duty to provide security and protect life. But it will not be enough if it does not ensure its other vital function, justice. After what was revealed by the case of Metastasis, the state of war should be used for a purge within the judiciary, reform of its institutions and clear actions against corruption in all state institutions.

Company: protection and defense

In the meantime, political leadership is needed. How is it possible for war to be declared without a message to the nation accompanying the signing of the decree? The word unity has gained space in the public debate, but how is it possible that there is not a single picture of the president accompanied by the leaders of other functions of the state that clearly sends a message to the citizens. Unity is not achieved alone; political action is needed to reach agreements on short, medium and long-term goals to change the current situation. What are the goals? Do they exist? Why did the central government not coordinate with the local authorities? State policies on education and productivity are needed. Finally, the current situation, and in light of the experiences of other countries, it is time for a broad discussion on the legalization of certain drugs. (OR)