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Ecuador Partners with Ex-Blackwater Founder Erik Prince in Anti-Crime Effort

President Daniel Noboa announces controversial alliance as the country battles escalating violence linked to drug cartels.

Armoured vehicles are seen during a joint armed forces and national police operation in Duran, Ecuador, on March 6, 2025.
Fighting between rival factions of an Ecuadoran drug trafficking gang left at least 22 people dead in the port city of Guayaquil last week
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An image of Erik Prince meeting with Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa shared on Noboa's official X account.

Overview

  • Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa has formed a 'strategic alliance' with Erik Prince, founder of the private military firm formerly known as Blackwater, to combat organized crime and illegal fishing.
  • The announcement comes as Ecuador faces an unprecedented surge in violence, with over 1,000 homicides reported early this year and a murder rate of 47 per 100,000 in 2023.
  • Critics, including former military officials and activists, have raised concerns about the use of foreign private military contractors, citing Blackwater's controversial history and human rights abuses.
  • Noboa, seeking re-election in April, has framed the partnership as part of his broader crackdown on domestic gangs and international drug cartels, positioning himself as a tough-on-crime leader.
  • Details of the agreement with Prince, including the scope of operations and terms, remain unclear, prompting calls for transparency from both Ecuadorian officials and international observers.