Public Servants in Ecuador Targeted by Gangs

The murder of Ecuador’s youngest mayor, Brigitte García, sheds light on how criminal groups violently target public officials who cannot be bribed. García and her communications director were kidnapped and found dead in a rented car on a beach. President Daniel Noboa linked the deaths to organized crime and underscored the presence of narco-terrorism within public institutions.

Violent attacks against Ecuador’s public officials by organized crime groups have been on the rise. In 2023, there were multiple instances of officials being targeted, including the killing of a councilwoman in Naranjal and an assassination attempt on the mayor of Durán. Gangs aggressively targeted judges, prosecutors, political candidates, and sitting officials, creating a climate of fear and instability within the country.

Ecuador’s gangs use violence to sway public officials who refuse to be corrupted by bribes. The state’s failure to protect these officials has allowed criminal groups to penetrate the country’s institutions. Many officials cave to pressure when faced with violence, known as “plata o plomo,” which refers to the choice between bribes or bullets. The country’s prisons have also fallen under near-complete control of gangs, leading to suspicious deaths and threats against judicial officials and police.

Authorities in Ecuador are facing challenges in protecting public officials from organized crime groups. The failure to protect officials undermines anti-corruption efforts and the wider struggle against gangs. While the government has been urged by the United Nations to do more to protect judges and prosecutors, the presence of government officials with ties to criminal groups complicates the situation. Some officials have been forced to join criminal groups out of fear for their lives.

The violence against public officials in Ecuador highlights the power and influence of criminal groups in the country. Despite efforts to combat corruption and organized crime, public officials remain at risk of violence if they resist bribes or attempts to influence their work. The situation underscores the need for stronger measures to protect officials and ensure the rule of law in Ecuador.