Ecuador and the United States Sign Multimillion-Dollar Aid Deal Amid Security Crisis
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US-Ecuador Agreement Aims to Combat Organized Crime
A senior delegation from the US military met with Ecuadorian officials this week to discuss cooperation in fighting organized crime, amidst a security crisis in the country. The visit came as Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa declared war on gangs, who responded by wreaking havoc across the country.
Key Components of the Aid Package
- A five-year aid package worth around $93 million
- Military equipment and humanitarian assistance
- Disaster relief and capacity building
- Increased military-to-military cooperation and intelligence sharing
- Presence of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to counter organized crime
Experts Warn of Short-Term Measures
While Plan Colombia had some success in countering guerrilla insurgencies, it failed to disrupt organized crime or undermine trafficking routes. Ecuador’s situation is different, with over a dozen groups vying for control of key drug trafficking routes and economies, often forming unstable alliances.
Experts say that what Ecuador needs is institutional capacity building and social reforms, rather than short-term measures that won’t address the root cause of the problem. Any aid package must also come with oversight, including from the United States, as well as Ecuadorian government agencies, civil society groups, and journalists.
Lessons Learned from Plan Colombia
The investment in Colombia had a personal component for US audiences, according to experts, who say it was easier to sell people on Plan Colombia due to its proximity to the United States and its history. However, despite successes in capturing leaders, Colombia still produces 90% of all cocaine coming to the United States, with organized crime fragmenting into different groups.
Comparison to Plan Colombia
The cooperation plan includes elements similar to Plan Colombia, such as increases in military-to-military cooperation and intelligence sharing, but it is fundamentally different in size, scope, and commitment. The average annual aid package provided during Plan Colombia was close to $650 million per year, while the proposed aid to Ecuador does not even reach $100 million.
Challenges Ahead
Ecuador’s Interior Ministry official said that links between gangs and security forces are a concern, but also a limitation for intelligence sharing. The official emphasized the need for structural changes in how society functions and how the social fabric is managed to address the root cause of the problem.
US General Laura Richardson, commander of US Southern Command, said that the United States wants to help Ecuador through its security crisis, but experts warn that any aid package must come with accountability and transparency. The deal has raised concerns about corruption and oversight, with experts saying that giving money to corrupt officials can squander it.