
Ecuador’s president invites foreign armies to fight gangs in the country
CNN
In a local radio interview earlier this month, Noboa said his government was “already in talks” to receive foreign military support.
Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa wants foreign armies to help crack down on gang violence in the country. In an interview with the BBC published Tuesday night, Noboa said he wants US, European and Brazilian armies to join his “war” on gangs, telling the broadcaster that his country needs more armed forces to fight against criminal groups. The Ecuadorean leader previously called for international forces to support the country’s effort to combat gangs. In a local radio interview earlier this month, Noboa said his government was “already in talks” to receive foreign military support for provinces like Guayas known for high crime, but did not specify which countries were involved in the talks. “We have a plan in place with our law enforcement agencies, the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Defense, the Armed Forces, the Strategic Intelligence Center, and international assistance and support from special forces. That’s essential,” he told Guayaquil’s Radio City. CNN has reached out to the Pentagon and Brazil’s defense ministry on whether sending troops to Ecuador is on the table. Ecuador has been hit by waves of gang violence - often linked to the drug trade - prompting the government to take a series of extraordinary measures, including a nationwide crackdown last year, preemptive pardons for law enforcement officers battling the gangs, and states of emergency.

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