National Assembly approves Noboa’s plan to enlist help of other countries to fight transnational crime

Ecuador’s National Assembly approved President Daniel Noboa’s proposal to form agreements with other countries to confront international drug cartels and gangs. The nearly unanimous vote allows, “if necessary,” foreign military troops on Ecuadorian soil under special agreements to fight organized crime.

Ecuador’s National Assembly

The plan identifies certain criminal groups as “enemies of the state” and authorizes the government to pursue “through diplomatic channels, international security agreements with other nations.”

Under terms of Noboa’s plan, the leadership of the Ministers of the Interior, Defense, Government, Foreign Affairs, and others, must report biweekly on progress to reach bilateral and multi-lateral security agreements with other nations. It recognizes Colombia, Brazil and Peru as potential partners in the fight against drug trafficking.

In her presentation in the Assembly, Foreign Minister Gabriela Sommerfeld said that discussions are underway with the three governments, and all are willing to participate in joint missions to fight international crime. “All three countries have suffered soaring crime rates, like Ecuador, as a result of these criminal organizations and their activities to transport illegal drugs,” she said. “We all agree we are in this together and will be stronger if we cooperate and work together.”

She added that the discussions have included the possible formation of specialized military units to combat illegal drug transport operations.

According to the United Nations Drug Office, Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil and Peru are the top four departure points for cocaine shipped to Europe and the United States.

Before Tuesday’s Assembly vote, the high command of Ecuador’s armed forces issued a statement supporting the legislation. “We are fully behind the effort to form agreements with other countries affected by transnational crime organizations and their illegal drug transport activities.” ti read. “This is an international problem that requires international solutions.”

According to Sommerfeld, the purpose of the government’s plan to create an international response to organized crime, is also to improve security at home. “The people of Ecuador, as well as the other countries we will work with, have suffered greatly at the hands of the criminals, as the rates of murder and other violent crime have risen in recent years. We must work together to eliminate this scourge.”

The Assembly’s resolution instructs its Permanent Specialized Commission on Sovereignty, Integration and Integral Security to work with the government “in the mission to form agreements with other countries,” and to provide a “progress reports” to the full Assembly on a regular basis.