Ecuador: Insecurity and drug crime hamper exporters

Published 2023년 1월 4일

Tridge summary

Ecuador's exporters, particularly in the banana, shrimp, and cocoa sectors, are facing significant challenges due to escalating insecurity caused by organized crime groups. In 2022, at least 63 exporters were killed, and 1,500 were injured in various attacks. The Corporation of Exporters Associations of Ecuador (Cordex) has highlighted the lack of state-provided security and the need for private investments to mitigate the impact. The government, combating a surge in crime and drug trafficking, is shouldering some of the blame for the increased insecurity. Drug contamination of shipping containers has risen by 400%, leading to the loss of markets and damaging the supply chain.

Disclaimer:The above summary was generated by Tridge's proprietary AI model for informational purposes.

Original content

Insecurity in Ecuador is hurting exporters in various sectors, including bananas. According to the Corporation of Exporters Associations of Ecuador (Cordex), at least 63 people associated with the export of bananas, shrimp and cocoa were killed by organized crime groups in 2022, and another 1,500 were injured during attacks. EastFruit writes about this with reference to Reuters. “Our biggest concern is the lack of security,” Cordex President Jose Antonio Camposano said last Wednesday. “Each year, the industries represented here spend at least $100 million on security…because the state cannot provide us with it.” Camposano added that Ecuadorian shrimp exporters have been forced to hire armed guards to transport feed, with at least 12 roadside attacks reported in the past month. Banana and cocoa exporters have been hit hard this year by drug shipments. The government of President Guillermo Lasso is fighting an increase in crime and violence on the streets and in prisons, which the ...

Source: Eastfruit