Confronting gang members at the heart of Ecuador's drug battle
This article provides context on the surge of drug-related violence in Ecuador, noting the influence of international cartels and mafia groups. It highlights the country's record-high murder rates as a consequence of its role in the global cocaine supply chain.
Why it matters
It explains the geopolitical factors driving instability in Ecuador, linking local violence to international drug trafficking networks.
Confronting gang members at the heart of Ecuador's drug battle Close The BBC's Orla Guerin goes on patrol with Ecuador's police, who are grappling with a huge surge in drug crime.
Drugs have been pouring into Ecuador from neighbouring Colombia and Peru - the two biggest producers in the world. Powerful home-grown gangs, with links to Mexican cartels and Albanian mafia groups, are then helping to smuggle the cocaine onwards.
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