Ecuador's State of Emergency: Tackling Gang Violence and Internal Conflict
Ecuador is in a state of "internal armed conflict" as President Daniel Noboa declared 22 criminal gangs and cartels as terrorist organizations, following a series of violent events including a prison escape, attacks on the streets, and a hostage-taking at a television studio. The country's long-standing issue with drug cartels and gang violence has escalated, leading to a state of emergency and a military crackdown on these groups, with concerns about institutional weaknesses and the government's ability to succeed in the short term.