Daniel Noboa Ecuador wants us and Europe to join the battle against the gang

Ecuador President Daniel Novoa told the BBC that we wanted us, European and Brazilian armies to join their “war” against criminal groups.

He added that US President Donald Trump has appointed Ecuadorian gangs as terrorist groups, as did for some Mexican and Venezuelan cartels.

He also said that the Ecuadorian law would be respected if he was asked about his recent partnership with Eric Prince, Trump’s ally and the founder of the Blackwater’s controversial private military firm.

In recent years, violence has taken off in Ecuadorwith gangs fighting for control of drug people. Most cocaine in the world is traded through the ecuador ports.

The Nobo President had previously stated that he would like foreign military assistance to help fight drug addicts – but this is the first time he nominated the United States, Brazil and Europe.

Security – and how he deals with this – this is the main issue for voters ahead Voting for departure in the Ecuador presidential election April 13.

Noboa determined its 16 months as through the rigid repression on the gangs and militarization of streets and prisons, he also fell under the fire of critics who consider his tactics too strong hand.

During his term, the killings decreased by about 16% from 2023 to 2024, but it remains much higher than in previous years, and in January 2025 the killings reached a record 781 per month.

In an interview with the BBC News, the incumbent president said: “We need more soldiers to fight this war.”

“Seventy percent of the world comes out of cocaine through Ecuador. We need the help of international forces.”

He said it started as “criminal gangs”, now “international drug-terrorists” out of 14,000 armed persons.

Donald Trump’s decision will appoint some Latin American cartels because the terrorist groups gave us law enforcement agencies to fight them further.

NOBOA told the BBC that his American colleague wants the same with Ecuador’s gangs: “I would be glad if he considers Los -Lobas, Los -Conenas, Los -Tigoeron as terrorist groups because it’s what they really are.”

The NOBO has already ordered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to seek cooperation agreements with “Allies Nations” to support the Ecuador police and the Ecuador Army, as well as looking for parliamentary permission to change the Constitution again to allow a foreign military base in Ecuador.

Like constitutional changes, this will require other countries that are ready to offer this. The deployment of armies abroad may be risky and expensive, but there is a certain precedent. In the US, there was a military base for its anti -narcotic operations in Ecuador until 2009 before former President Rafael Correa banned.

President Nobo’s task will be a convincing figure, such as Donald Trump in the US, or leaders in Europe, where many drugs are shipped, which is also in their interest to stop cartels and drug trafficking.

As for the alliance with Trump Elik Eric Prince he announced a few days ago, he said, “We are fighting an unconventional city guerrilla war. He has experience. He advised our armed forces, our police.”

Mr. Prince founded a private military firm Blackwater, which provided security officers by the US government but was also involved in dispute. He sold the company in 2010.

Four Blackwater contractors were convicted and imprisoned for killing 14 Iraqi citizens on Nissura Baghdad Square in 2007 and later pardoned by Trump in 2020.

Does the Nobo President want the mercenaries to the country?

“Not necessarily the mercenaries,” he said. “We are talking about the army. The US, European, Brazilian Special Forces. It can be a great help for us.”

While some supported this step, some Ecuadorians referred to the past record of Mr. Prince and feared violations of rights in the country.

Asked about some past disputes of Eric Prince, Mr. Nobo said that Ecuador’s laws should be respected and the wars held legally.

But, he added, the cartels “violated every human right over the last five years.”

‘They are mutilated.

Last year his iron fist approach hit the fire after Four boys were arrested by soldiers for allegedly theft And later he found mutilated and burned.

Nobo said these soldiers are in prison before the investigation, but he will “fight to the end” to condemn those who respond.

He claimed that the armed forces operated in proportion to the fight against crimes and noted the imbalance between its 35,000 military and 40,000 members of the armed banks.

With a record number of murders in January, leading critics claim that its strict approach does not work.

During the campaign, his left -wing contender Louise Gonzalez said: “The promises of the company made in 2023 were to be delivered for a year and a half. Not two. Not three. He put? No!”

NOBOA said he normally sees the rise in violence against the elections to his country, but once again emphasized that Ecuador could not fight this problem on his own: “This is a transnational crime without a transnational security policy.”

While Albanian, Mexican and Colombian cartels worked together, there was no joint security policy among the drugs affected by drugs.

He claimed that Ecuador needs help because his economy is less than many in Europe or the US, where most drugs are shipped.

He added that drug trading and illegal mining brought $ 30 billion (23 billion pounds) – about 27% of GDP – annually in Ecuador.

He called on countries where cocaine consumption is high as the UK, to make more to handle this argument: “The product they consume has a chain of violence and misfortune.”

Violence and post-pandemic unemployment have forced many Ecuadors to run north.

Now they are one of the best nationalities that cross the dangerous jungle Darien from the south to North America.

The Nobo President is ready to return Ecuador’s migrants from the United States, but not other nationalities, and stated that for three months the country had conducted technical training and minimum wages.

For it, the decision improves “opportunities”.

“We need to develop as an export economy, Ecuador’s jobs for these people.”

While he said that “100%” empathized by people who were escaping from violence, he accused the past “lack of strong security policy”.

His Ecuador’s message now? “Remain – and you will see positive results. We reduce inflation. Companies are hiring. The economy is recovering.”

Daniel Nobo will face Louise Gonzalez in the vote next month.

In the first round he received only 0.5% more votes than sheAssuming that the second round can be very close and polarized.

With safety, the main issue for voters, its success – or not – may depend on whether the Ecuadians believe that progress was good enough.