Ecuador, a global banana powerhouse, is facing a grave crisis as cartels have turned its lucrative banana exports into a conduit for smuggling cocaine. The convergence of these two industries has given rise to unprecedented violence and insecurity in the nation.
Rising Crime Epidemic:
In recent years, Ecuador has witnessed a surge in shootings, homicides, kidnappings, and extortions, particularly in the strategic port city of Guayaquil, which serves as a major hub for banana shipments. The criminal underworld’s infiltration into an industry responsible for 30% of the world’s banana supply has left the nation grappling with a growing crime epidemic.
Assassination of Presidential Candidate:
The situation took a tragic turn when presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio, known for his tough stance on organized crime and corruption, was fatally shot after a campaign rally. He had linked Ecuador’s Los Choneros gang to Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel, shedding light on the dangerous cartel presence in the country.
Ecuador’s Vulnerabilities:
Ecuador’s vulnerability to cartels can be attributed to its proximity to cocaine-producing giants, Peru and Colombia, and the presence of cartels from Mexico, Colombia, and the Balkans. The nation’s use of the U.S. dollar and weak institutions have made it an attractive base for drug traffickers.
Cocaine Trade Soars:
The global cocaine trade has witnessed a sharp increase, with Ecuador playing an alarming role. In 2021, The source of nearly one-third of the cocaine seized in Western and Central Europe, was double the amount reported in 2018. Recent record-setting busts in Spain, the Netherlands, Greece, and Italy highlight the magnitude of the issue.
Banana Exporters’ Involvement:
Traffickers have resorted to various tactics, including creating front companies and acquiring legitimate banana businesses. Some have coerced or bribed workers to facilitate cocaine smuggling, while others have corrupted law enforcement and customs agents. The U.S. Department of State issued a travel advisory for Ecuador, urging caution for tourists.
Escalating Violence and Seizures:
Violent deaths in Ecuador doubled from 2021 to 2022, reaching a record 4,600 fatalities. The country is on track to surpass this grim record in 2023, with 3,568 violent deaths in the first half of the year. Simultaneously, cocaine seizures at the country’s ports have surged to 77.4 metric tons in 2022, more than three times the amount seized in 2020.
Lack of Inspection:
One concerning aspect is the low rate of container inspection at Ecuadorian ports, with no more than 30% currently being examined manually or with drug-sniffing dogs. The government has plans to implement container scanners at all ports by mid-2024 to address this issue.
Industry’s Response:
The Association of Banana Exporters of Ecuador acknowledges the industry’s vulnerability to trafficking due to the sheer volume of containers used. Despite annual expenditures of approximately $100 million on security measures, some exporters have faced accusations of complicity in drug trafficking.
Conclusion:
Ecuador’s banana industry, once a symbol of prosperity and global trade, now grapples with the dark shadow cast by drug cartels. As the nation struggles to combat the escalating violence and secure its exports, the world watches closely, hoping for a resolution to this crisis that threatens the heart of Ecuador’s economy.
