In recent years, Ecuador has experienced a significant increase in violence, with the homicide rate skyrocketing to almost 45 per 100,000 in 2023. This makes it the deadliest country in mainland Latin America. The rise in violence can be attributed to the surge of organized crime, particularly focused on smuggling cocaine from Colombia to Europe through Ecuadorian ports.
In response to this escalating violence, governments in the region have adopted mano dura policies, characterized by strict and often heavy-handed measures to combat crime. These policies include declaring states of emergency, mass incarceration without discrimination, and deploying the military to maintain order on the streets.
One such city that has been labeled as the world’s most violent is Durán in Ecuador, with a murder rate of 148 per 100,000 in the previous year. However, other countries in Latin America are also experiencing similar issues with transnational criminal groups expanding their operations.
President Daniel Noboa of Ecuador proposed tougher anti-crime measures following this trend, which were overwhelmingly supported by Ecuadorians in a referendum held on April 21st. These measures include overturning a constitutional ban on the extradition of criminals, allowing the army to permanently patrol streets and prisons, and eliminating the possibility of early release for well-behaved inmates. With these new measures in place, Ecuador is hoping to curb the rising violence and restore a sense of safety and security for its citizens.
