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Ecuador Actually Has a Chance

By Brian Winter

… but the Noboa government will need more money, from allies at home and in Washington, to fight organized crime.

When masked criminals in Ecuador invaded a TV station, took prison guards and police hostage and paralyzed the business capital of Guayaquil in early January, the prevailing reaction across the Americas was: Oh no, here we go again.  Another country overwhelmed by organized crime.  Another possible narcostate in the making. But in the weeks since, Ecuador has shown unexpected resilience, led by its new president, Daniel Noboa. The 36-year-old leader has overseen a firm but calibrated response, jailing hundreds of suspected gang leaders and reestablishing some control of...

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