Key facts
- Police in Ecuador's Durán city are engaged in a daily battle against drug gangs, facing not only criminals but also internal corruption.
- Captain Jean Carlos Bustamante leads a specialized team, acknowledging the significant financial and armament advantage of the gangs.
- Despite small victories like seizing weapons, the fight is described as a war of attrition, with gangs controlling drug routes to Europe and the US.
- Corruption within the justice system and among officials is cited as a major impediment to effectively combating organized crime.
- Gang leaders openly admit to bribing police officers and controlling local operations through informants.
In the Ecuadorian city of Durán, Police Captain Jean Carlos Bustamante and his hand-picked team are on the front lines of a brutal drug war, battling not only heavily armed and well-funded gangs like Los Aguilas but also pervasive corruption within the state and police force.
Captain Bustamante describes a constant struggle against criminals who control significant wealth and resources, often outmatching the state's capabilities. His team conducts raids, seizing weapons and drugs, but acknowledges these are small victories in a larger war of attrition. The drugs trafficked through Ecuador, primarily cocaine from neighboring Colombia and Peru, are destined for markets in Europe and the US, facilitated by powerful local gangs with links to international criminal organizations.
Ecuador has seen a dramatic increase in violence, with a high murder rate in the past year. President Daniel Noboa's crackdown has led to arrests of major crime bosses, but critics argue it has fractured gangs, leading to increased multiplication and violence. Corruption is a significant obstacle, with police and prosecutors reporting that arrested gang members are often released due to bribery and influence within the justice system.
Gang leaders, like one identified as Jonathan, openly admit to paying off police officers for advance warning of operations, demonstrating the depth of infiltration. Jonathan, who claims to have killed eight people, operates with impunity, his gang members openly carrying weapons in broad daylight. Despite these challenges, police like Captain Bustamante remain committed, citing a significant reduction in the murder rate in Durán as a sign of progress, though complete control is seen as a long-term goal.