Ecuador: Cartels, Lynchings & the Rise of Latin America’s Murder Capital | crime скачать в хорошем качестве

Ecuador: Cartels, Lynchings & the Rise of Latin America’s Murder Capital | crime

Ecuador, once known for its stunning landscapes, has become a blood-soaked battleground. Brutal cartels battling for control of the cocaine trade have turned the country into the deadliest in Latin America. In just 2023 alone, over 8,000 people were murdered—an eightfold spike from five years ago. That’s nearly 22 killings every single day. This isn’t just gang wars behind closed doors—this is happening on the streets, in broad daylight. Take this: A British national was recently lynched and burned alive by a mob in Sucumbios Province, right in front of helpless police officers. And that’s not an isolated incident. From hanging bodies on bridges to cutting out rivals’ hearts, the cartels are leaving gruesome messages in their wake. In Ecuador, the war isn’t just between gangs—it’s about dominance. Los Choneros, Los Tiguerones, and Los Lobos have taken over the streets, cutting deals with drug cartels from Mexico and Albania. They’re not just trafficking cocaine—they’re trafficking fear. And the bloodshed is spilling over from prisons, where rival factions are waging wars for control. One massacre at Litoral Prison left 123 inmates dead. After that, the violence erupted into the cities, with gangs targeting public figures—like presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio, who was gunned down mid-campaign. But this isn’t just about power—it’s about money. Ecuador is now the world’s leading cocaine exporter, with 70% of the global supply passing through its ports. Guayaquil, the nation’s largest port city, is ground zero for the cartel’s ruthless expansion. To make things worse, Ecuador’s military is outnumbered by cartel members, leading the president to call for international support in the fight. The violence is relentless. In just one day, a massacre at a cockfighting ring left 12 dead. This is Ecuador now—an open war zone where gang violence rules and human life is expendable. If you thought cartel stories couldn’t get more terrifying—think again. Ecuador is ground zero, and it’s only getting worse. Buckle up—because this crisis is about to get darker.