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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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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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AQ Podcast: How to Think About Latin America’s Security Crisis
An expert with firsthand knowledge discusses new crime dynamics and ways forward.
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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.