US-Mexico Cooperation Model Could be Blueprint for Ecuador’s Fight Against Organized Crime
Washington D.C./Quito - A New Approach to Combat Organized Crime?
As Ecuador struggles with a surge in criminal gang violence, the United States has stepped up its security assistance to the small Andean nation. The swift response has raised speculation about a “Plan Ecuador,” a comprehensive aid package akin to the multibillion-dollar Plan Colombia implemented throughout the 2000s.
The US Response: $93.4 Million in Security Assistance
The US has already provided critical security equipment and training worth $93.4 million, including a C-130H Hercules aircraft used for high-seas drug interdictions. Experts say that without a sustainable security strategy, however, the impact of this assistance will be limited.
The Merida Initiative: A Blueprint for Ecuador’s Fight Against Organized Crime?
One model that could serve as a blueprint for Ecuador’s fight against organized crime is the Merida Initiative, a US-Mexico cooperation plan that helped Mexico overhaul its entire judicial system. Under Pillar Two of the initiative, the US provided:
- Forensic lab training, certification, accreditation, and equipment
- Law school seminars for professors and students
- Courtroom IT equipment packages
A Comprehensive Approach to Professionalizing Ecuador’s Judiciary
Similarly, a comprehensive approach to professionalizing Ecuador’s judiciary could provide much-needed support in the country’s fight against organized crime. The US could share best practices and expert advisory services to rebuild Ecuador’s institutions, particularly its judiciary.
Lessons from Mexico: The Merida Initiative’s Success
The Merida Initiative’s success in Mexico demonstrates that a multifaceted approach can yield significant results. By providing training and equipment for forensic technicians, law enforcement officials, and judges, the US helped professionalize Mexico’s justice system and improve its ability to investigate and prosecute organized crime.
Ecuador’s Unique Challenges: Corruption, Money Laundering, and Drug Trafficking
Ecuador faces unique challenges in its fight against organized crime, including:
- Corruption
- Money laundering
- Large exports of perishable goods providing drug trafficking organizations with ample avenues to move illicit goods
- European criminal organizations partnering with local Ecuadorean gangs to move drugs and launder proceeds back to Ecuador
The Need for a Strong Partnership: A Success Story?
To stand apart as a success story, Ecuador must demonstrate its commitment to democratic institutions and the rule of law. A strong partnership with the US and EU could provide the necessary support for the country’s security forces and judicial system.
Quote
“Ecuador needs a multifaceted approach to combat organized crime. Strengthening intelligence institutions, reforming the judicial system, addressing money laundering, and enhancing prison infrastructure are all critical components of a successful strategy.”
— Ryan C. Berg, director of the Americas Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)
Conclusion
With resilience and strategic partnerships, Ecuador could once again become the region’s “island of peace.”