"Rising Gang Violence in Ecuador Sparks Massive Crackdown and International Response"

Mexican drug cartels have infiltrated and allied with local criminal gangs in Ecuador, leading to a surge in violence and unrest. The cartels use Ecuador as a primary drug distribution point for cocaine from Colombia and Peru, with the country's Guayaquil Port serving as a key logistics hub. The recent storming of an Ecuadorian TV station by armed men is linked to a prison escape of a local gang leader, highlighting the ominous connection between Mexican cartels and the escalating violence in the small South American country. The government has declared an "internal armed conflict" and is cracking down on criminal groups, but critics are concerned about the military response's long-term effectiveness. The influence of Mexican cartels in Ecuador has led to a wave of assassinations, including that of a high-profile prosecutor investigating drug-related cases.