Ecuador’s War on Corruption: High-Profile Cases Uncover Widespread Infiltration of Organized Crime

Ecuador’s security forces are cracking down on gangs and violence, but a growing concern is emerging that high-level government corruption is fueling the country’s crime problem. Recent cases have shed light on widespread infiltration of organized crime into the judiciary, legislature, and law enforcement.

The Metastasis Case: A Glimpse into Corruption

On March 15, Attorney General Diana Salazar presented a case against 13 suspects, including a former member of the National Assembly and a lead prosecutor for Guayas province. The investigation targets a drug trafficking network once led by Leandro Norero, a top ally of the Lobos gang before his murder in 2022.

• Prosecutors allege that officials received bribes from Norero through intermediaries, allowing him to maintain his empire while behind bars.
• Corrupt judges allegedly delayed money laundering cases against Norero’s siblings after receiving bribes.
• Police and prosecutors on Norero’s payroll passed him information about law enforcement crackdowns.

The Purga Case: Further Investigations into Corruption

The Metastasis Case has spawned other investigations, including the Purga Case. This case is examining links between judicial officials and lawyers associated with the Guayas province judiciary and organized crime.

President Noboa’s War on Gangs: A Challenge to Address Corruption

President Daniel Noboa’s war on gangs enters its third month, with a countrywide reduction in homicides. However, concerns persist about criminality in Guayaquil.

• Experts say that corruption has escalated in recent years.
• Elements of the navy, police, and prisons authority have been accused of helping gangs move drugs, access arms, and maintain their enterprises from behind bars.
• Corruption has limited the impact of homicide investigations, while killings have jumped from 5.7 per 100,000 in 2018 to 44.5 in 2023.

Addressing Corruption: A Long Road Ahead

To address corruption, Noboa announced the creation of a joint financial crime investigation unit on March 7 and proposed a constitutional amendment to close a legal loophole that allows criminals to stall their trials. However, government corruption remains a formidable obstacle to reversing the advances of criminal groups.

• Record quantities of cocaine are flowing through Ecuador.
• Lucrative extortion, kidnapping, and drug dealing markets are further bolstering gang coffers.