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Ecuadorian soldiers destroy seized illegal firearms in Guayaquil, Ecuador, on May 30, 2024. / Photo by Reuters

In Ecuador, which has emerged as a key smuggling hub for South American drug cartels, illegal firearm seizures from January to May hit a record high this year.

Local media outlet Primicias reported that the Ecuadorian government announced joint military and police seizures of 5,424 illegal firearms during the first five months of the year. This marks a 20.6% increase from the 4,497 weapons seized during the same period last year, setting a historic high.

At this rate, annual seizures are projected to break records again. Annual figures have risen steadily, from 7,855 in 2021 to 9,498 in 2022, 10,062 in 2023, and 10,651 in 2024.

Last year, the government only released partial statistics for January to May, withholding the annual total. While authorities attribute the rising numbers to expanded crackdowns, security experts analyze that the government likely withheld the data due to the pressure of deteriorating safety indicators.

According to the Ministry of Justice, Ecuador recorded 9,216 homicides last year—an average of 25 per day. The homicide rate per 100,000 people surged to 50.91, up from 38.80 the previous year, making it the highest in South America.

The spike in homicides is primarily driven by organized crime, particularly the expansion of drug cartels. Experts point out that cartels from neighboring Colombia and Peru—the world's top cocaine producers—are using Ecuador's Pacific coastal cities as key smuggling routes, destabilizing local security.

Official regional data clearly traces these cartel smuggling routes.

From January to May, Guayas Province, located on the central coast, saw the highest number of seizures at 1,969 firearms, accounting for 36% of the total. Los Ríos Province followed with 798, and Manabí Province with 517—all located along the Pacific coast.

Local media analyzed that South American drug cartels are exploiting Ecuador's relatively weak surveillance to secure smuggling routes. This turf war has fueled terrorism, arms trafficking, violent crime, and an influx of illegal firearms.

                                                                                                          Son Young-sik