Mon Sep 23 22:31:38 UTC 2024: ## Ecuador Grapples with Soaring Crime as Citizens Fear for Safety
**GUAYAQUIL, ECUADOR** – Ecuador is facing a growing security crisis, with violent crime reaching unprecedented levels and leaving most citizens terrified to walk the streets alone at night. A new poll by Gallup found that Ecuadorians feel less safe than any other country in the world, except for active war zones.
The grim reality is highlighted by the data, which shows that only 11% of residents in Guayas, Ecuador’s most populous region, feel safe walking alone at night. This sense of insecurity extends nationwide, with just 27% of Ecuadorians feeling safe in their neighborhoods.
The country’s descent into violence has been accelerated by the growing drug trade, with Ecuador positioned between major cocaine producers Colombia and Peru. Gang violence and homicides have skyrocketed, reaching a staggering rate of nearly 50 per 100,000 residents in 2023.
Ecuador’s President, Daniel Noboa, declared a State of Emergency in January after the escape of notorious drug lord José Adolfo Macías, known as “Fito,” from a maximum-security prison. This triggered chaos, culminating in gunmen storming a live TV set during a news broadcast.
The security crisis has manifested in a surge of other violent crimes, including a 41.7% increase in kidnappings, a 13.7% rise in attempted murders, and an 8.5% increase in carjacking compared to the previous year. Murder rates have reached a 20-year high, with a life lost approximately every 20 minutes.
The crisis has also had a devastating impact on daily life, with record electricity blackouts, water outages, street potholes, and traffic light failures becoming commonplace.
This surge in violence has not only affected the safety of citizens but also damaged the country’s economy and infrastructure. The deteriorating situation has sparked widespread fear and uncertainty, raising concerns about the future of Ecuador.
First Piper 