Why is Ecuador A strategic zone for the CJNG and the Sinaloa Cartel?

Mica for cartelinsider.com

The Global Expansion of CJNG and Sinaloa Cartel

Widening Horizons: Mexican Cartels in Over 100 Countries

Mexican criminal groups, particularly the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), have broadened their operations significantly. The DEA has identified its presence in more than 100 nations globally. Ecuador, for instance, has witnessed various violent incidents, including explosive attacks, signifying the deep infiltration of these cartels in international territories.

Strategic Maritime Operations and Guayaquil’s Role

These organizations have adeptly utilized maritime drug trafficking routes, leveraging speedboats and larger ships to maintain a low profile and evade authorities. The Colombian Observatory on Organized Crime (OCCO) report highlights their preference for discreet navigation over speed. Guayaquil Port has emerged as a critical hub in these operations, often as a gateway to European destinations. The cartels’ sophisticated use of shell companies to disguise drug shipments as legal exports further exemplifies their strategic operational depth.

Advanced Trafficking Methods: Concealing Drugs in Plain Sight

Mexican cartels have developed sophisticated methods to smuggle drugs, as noted in the OCCO report. These include breaking into containers to insert drugs, using cloned seals to hide their interference, and employing underwater techniques to attach drugs to ships’ hulls. These tactics demonstrate the cartels’ innovative approaches to bypassing international drug enforcement measures.

Ecuador’s Strategic Role and Intensifying Cartel Rivalries

In the complex world of drug trafficking, Ecuador has emerged as a crucial player. Local criminal groups, essential in the logistics of cocaine transport and providing security, have led to heightened territorial disputes among cartels. Notably, Los Choneros are linked to the Sinaloa Cartel, and the Los Lobos gang is connected with the CJNG. These rivalries have escalated to violent acts, including attacks on journalists, underscoring the volatile nature of cartel operations in Ecuador. The country’s strategic position is increasingly vital for cartels, particularly as a safer transit point compared to Colombia for cocaine headed to the United States.

On their part, Ecuador’s security forces implemented an operation. The alleged perpetrators of the attack on the television channel have already been captured (at least 13 people) by the authorities. At the same time, the victims were released, and there were no reports of deaths or injuries from these events.

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Mica

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