Ecuador's Battle Against Crime: Walls Rise and Clashes Erupt

Residents in Guayaquil, Ecuador's largest city, are building walls and installing security gates to protect themselves from the increasing crime rate. The city has seen a doubling of homicides compared to the same period last year, with violence escalating due to the pandemic and drug gang wars. Extortion cases and robberies have also surged. The measures, known as "bunkerization," aim to create enclosed neighborhoods where outsiders are restricted from entering. Residents hope these safety measures will provide a sense of security in the face of government inefficiency in addressing the crime problem.