Ecuador Declares War on Drug Cartels: 75,000 Forces Deploy to Combat Gangs
Ecuador has launched a major crackdown on drug gangs, deploying 75,000 soldiers and police to combat the rising violence across the country. Citizens in affected provinces are bracing for all-out war.
In a dramatic escalation of its fight against drug cartels, the government of Ecuador has deployed a staggering 75,000 soldiers and police officers to combat the surge of gang-related violence across the country. President Guillermo Lasso has declared that the nation is now "at war" with the powerful criminal organizations that have taken root, particularly in the country's most violent provinces.
The move comes as Ecuador grapples with a spiraling crisis of drug trafficking, extortion, kidnappings, and murders perpetrated by ruthless gangs. Authorities say the situation has become untenable, with citizens living in fear and the country's security infrastructure overwhelmed. Interior Minister Patricio Carrillo warned that "the gloves are off" as the government launches its most aggressive crackdown to date.
{{IMAGE_PLACEHOLDER}}Source: BBC News
