Amid a surge in organized crime, President Daniel Noboa seeks to strengthen the armed forces and drug penalties in an April 21 vote.

The raid on the Mexican embassy in Quito to seize a convicted former vice president hurts the president’s international prospects, but might help him domestically.

"[President Noboa's] image has taken a huge and well-deserved hit," says AS/COA's Eric Farnsworth to The Wall Street Journal.

President Noboa has deployed more than 30,000 soldiers and policemen to contain the chaos. While homicides have fallen, kidnappings and extortion remain high.

"[President] Noboa is now faced with the urgent need for decisive action," says Estefanny Pérez Duque from AS/COA in Global Americans.

AS/COA Online looks at Beijing’s bilateral trade pacts with Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Nicaragua, and Peru.

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