Ecuador’s Gang Purge and America’s Migrant Crisis

Written by Erin Spellman

What’s happening: Ecuador’s President, Daniel Noboa, is taking action against cocaine-fueled gang violence. Drug lord José Adolfo Macías Villamar’s escape from prison and subsequent wave of violence triggered swift military action.

Catch up: The country once known as the “Island of Peace” has been subjected to escalating violence brought by drug cartels. Ecuadorian gangs have exploited what they consider a weak state, gaining hegemony over the government. As a result of violence and economic turmoil, an increasing number of Ecuadorians are migrating to the U.S. with asylum claims.

Why it matters: America’s record-breaking influx of migrants is likely to increase if Ecuador fails to curb the violence. But if Noboa’s heavy-handed approach succeeds, it could become popular among politicians and ease the strain at the U.S. border.

• The strategy: Noboa plans to establish a new intelligence unit, high-security prisons, criminal asset seizures, and acquisition of tactical weaponry. The U.S. is assisting by sending military armaments and personnel as part of a “commitment to democratic values.”

Drawing parallels: Similar action has been taken in El Salvador where President Nayib Bukele has implemented an iron-fisted approach against violent crime, including mass imprisonment. As a result, murder rates in El Salvador dropped nearly 70 percent during 2023.

Uphill battle: Noboa may not experience the same success as Bukele. Ecuador's gangs are far richer and have stronger arsenals and more formidable transnational cartel ties than El Salvador's impoverished street gangs. And gang-related corruption in Ecuador’s government runs deep — involving judges, prosecutors, and prison administrators.