U.S. Coast Guard joins offshore drug patrols; AG’s office begins strike prosecutions; Noboa ends state of emergency; Cuenca students protest health ‘collapse’
Cocaine seizures and arrests off Ecuador’s coast have more than doubled since May when the U.S. Coast Guard committed ships and personnel to the mission. Joint Ecuadorian-U.S. patrols have resulted in the seizure of more than 200 tons of
cocaine and the arrest of 41 suspected drug traffickers. In addition, the patrols have commandeered 17 boats and ships.
According to the naval command, the patrols operate from ports in the Galapagos islands and in Esmeraldas and Manabí Provinces, and are aided by surveillance provided by U.S. satellites, manned aircraft and drones.
Ecuador navy personnel collect bundles of cocaine thrown overboard near the Galapagos Islands.
In the most recent interdiction of an unnamed ship, on October 27, 20 tons of cocaine was seized and 11 crew members were arrested near the Galapagos islands.
“By increasing the number of patrols and working with U.S. support, we are sending a message to offshore drug transporters that the days of uncontested sea routes is over,” the Ecuadorian navy said in a statement. “We will catch you, destroy your product and put your crews in prison.”
Noboa ends emergencies in 10 provinces
President Daniel Noboa has revoked his state of emergency order in 10 provinces, following the end of the indigenous strike. The order restores all civil rights to Pichincha, Cotopaxi, Tungurahua, Chimborazo, Bolívar, Cañar, Azuay, Orellana, Sucumbíos and Pastaza Provinces.
AG’s office begins strike prosecutions
The Attorney General’s office said Wednesday it has opened 140 criminal investigations linked to the indigenous strike that ended last week. Although most of the cases involved protesters, 10 cases are related to the alleged use of excessive force by police and military personnel.
Prosecutors say that 64% of the cases are in Imbabura and Pichincha Provinces, with the balance in Carchi, Loja and Azuay, Chimborazo, Sucumbíos, Cañar, Cotopaxi and Bolívar.
Prosecutors added that 57% of the cases involve charges of paralysis of public services, including the blockage of highways and roads. Another 17% are based on charges of destruction of public property.
Cuenca students want declaration of health emergency
Students from four universities marched Tuesday, demanding that the government declare a state of emergency for the public health system in Cuenca. They were joined by employees of Vicente Corral Moscoso Hospital, who claim their facility is in “a state of collapse.”
“Everyone agrees that the system is in crisis, yet nothing is done to fix it,” said University of Cuenca medical student Paul Colón. “At Vicente Corral Moscoso, operating rooms can’t be used because of broken equipment, scanners are broken and parts of the hospital are blocked off due to falling ceilings and mold,” he says. “Appointments for sick people are being delayed and in some cases are never made. In addition, the pharmacy has less than 50% of the medicines required to serve patients.”
Colón suggest that the government is reluctant to declare an emergency because it would have to “admit its failure to provide the service it promises the people.”
An estimated 500 people participated in the march on Calle Simon Bolivar that ended at the government building on Parque Calderon.
