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AQ Podcast | Ecuador’s Difficult Battle with Organized Crime
An analysis of the numbers on the war on crime, Noboa’s reputation at home and abroad and a look at Ecuador’s economy.
![President of Ecuador Daniel Noboa arrives at Carondelet Palace in Quito.](https://americasquarterly.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/GettyImages-1730496902-300x200.jpg)
Now Empowered, Noboa Can Still Avoid Authoritarian Drift
Ecuador’s president gained a resounding endorsement for “mano dura” policies against organized crime in Sunday’s referendum. A delicate democratic balance is at stake.
![Salazar, 42, is Ecuador's first career prosecutor to ascend to the top job.](https://americasquarterly.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/AQ0224_PROFILE-300x183.jpg)
Ecuador’s Crusading Attorney General Is Facing Her Toughest Challenge Yet
Diana Salazar’s investigations have taken down major figures. But a wave of drug-related violence is changing what defending the rule of law looks like.
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What Ecuador’s Embassy Drama Means for Noboa
The raid on the Mexican embassy in Quito to seize a convicted former vice president hurts the president’s international prospects, but might help him domestically.
![Ecuadorian soldiers carry out an anti-gang operation in Guayaquil on Feb. 5.](https://americasquarterly.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/JIEcuador-300x200.jpg)
Ecuador’s War on Drug Gangs: A Mixed Picture So Far
President Noboa has deployed more than 30,000 soldiers and policemen to contain the chaos. While homicides have fallen, kidnappings and extortion remain high.
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Ecuador Actually Has a Chance
… but the Noboa government will need more money, from allies at home and in Washington, to fight organized crime.
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AQ Podcast | Ecuador’s Crossroads: Can Noboa Succeed?
An overview of the Americas’ latest front in the battle against organized crime.
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Ecuador’s Crisis: A Long Road Ahead
An early consensus has empowered President Noboa, but the consequences of a long conflict are unpredictable.
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Why Ecuador’s Young President Matters to Washington
Democracy, immigration and the US-China competition all intersect in Ecuador. Here are three ideas on how US officials can help.
![Claudia Maribel Vera Pech, left, 38, and Regina Laudalina Valle Chim, 47, of the award-winning Chelemeras group trek through a wetland toward the beginnings of a new forest, planted by hand](https://americasquarterly.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/AQ0423_ONLINE12-300x183.jpg)
Photo Essay: Undocumented in the Galápagos
Fleeing crime on Ecuador’s mainland, one family discovers how even an island paradise can be difficult.
![SANTA ELENA, ECUADOR - OCTOBER 15: Newly elected President of Ecuador Daniel Noboa of Acción Nacional Democrática coalition (R) speaks next to his wife Lavinia Valbonesi (L) after winning the presidential runoff at Olon coast on October 15, 2023 in Santa Elena, Ecuador. According to official results, Daniel Noboa of Accion Democratica Nacional has 52,28% of the votes and Luisa Gonzalez of Revolucion Ciudadana has 47,72%, with 91,05 of the voting counted. Noboa will complete the 2021-2025 period after President Guillermo Lasso applied the "cross death" to dissolve parliament a call for early elections. (Photo by Franklin Jacome/Getty Images)](https://americasquarterly.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Noboa-300x200.jpg)
REACTION: Daniel Noboa Wins Presidency in Ecuador
Noboa will lead the country through May 2025 amid rising violence and economic uncertainty.
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AQ Podcast: Who’s Who in Ecuador’s Election
A look ahead to the runoff on October 15. What can we expect from the candidates and what is at stake?
![Luisa González, left, and Daniel Noboa, right, participate in Ecuador's August 13 presidential debate.](https://americasquarterly.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Ecreaction-300x199.png)
REACTION: González, Noboa to Square off in Ecuador’s Presidential Runoff
Analysts react to the surprise result from the first round of the presidential election.
![Ecuadorian presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio was assassinated as crime and violence related to drug-trafficking continue to shake the country.](https://americasquarterly.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Villavicencia-300x200.jpg)
REACTION: Ecuador Presidential Candidate Assassinated
The unprecedented killing of Fernando Villavicencio, an outspoken critic of corruption and organized crime, has shaken the country ahead of elections on August 20.
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Meet the Candidates: Ecuador
A Rafael Correa ally will face off against a businessman in the October 15 presidential runoff.