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Tuesday, Feb 17, 2026
Outside the box.
Ecuador Partners with Blackwater Founder in Anti-Crime Initiative
President Daniel Noboa forms strategic alliance with Erik Prince to combat narco-terrorism and illegal fishing ahead of presidential run-off.
Ecuador's President, Daniel Noboa, has announced a partnership with Erik Prince, the founder of private military firm Blackwater, in a move aimed at bolstering the country's campaign against organized crime and narco-terrorism.
Noboa, a right-wing politician and heir to a banana empire, disclosed the alliance via social media on Tuesday, highlighting the need for enhanced capabilities in the fight against crime and illegal fishing in Ecuador's waters.
In his tweet, Noboa stated, "Organized crime has sown fear and believed it can operate with impunity.
Their time is running out.
International aid is beginning to flow to Ecuador." The announcement follows a significant increase in violence attributed to gangs and drug cartels operating within Ecuador.
The country's geographical position, nestled between Peru and Colombia—both leading producers of cocaine—has transformed it into a crucial transit point for narcotics intended for the United States and Europe.
Noboa’s administration recently offered a $1 million reward for the capture of José Adolfo Macías Villamar, also known as 'Fito', one of Ecuador's most notorious drug lords.
Since taking office, Noboa has initiated a stringent crackdown on the gangs and foreign cartels bringing chaos to Ecuador, which has historically been seen as one of South America’s safer countries.
However, his policies have been met with skepticism as violence and bloodshed continue, alongside reports of human rights abuses, including allegations of torture and arbitrary detentions.
The engagement with Prince, a former Navy SEAL with a controversial history, has sparked significant public concern.
Critics have expressed fears that this partnership could lead to the introduction of paramilitary tactics, reminiscent of events during Prince's tenure as CEO of Blackwater, notably the 2007 incident in Iraq that resulted in the deaths of 14 civilians.
Activists and legal experts in Ecuador have condemned the decision, likening it to an importation of foreign mercenaries to manage local conflicts.
As Noboa seeks re-election in the forthcoming April run-off against leftist candidate Luisa González, the move represents a strategic effort to position himself as a tough-on-crime leader amidst escalating violence and disorder.
Noboa, a right-wing politician and heir to a banana empire, disclosed the alliance via social media on Tuesday, highlighting the need for enhanced capabilities in the fight against crime and illegal fishing in Ecuador's waters.
In his tweet, Noboa stated, "Organized crime has sown fear and believed it can operate with impunity.
Their time is running out.
International aid is beginning to flow to Ecuador." The announcement follows a significant increase in violence attributed to gangs and drug cartels operating within Ecuador.
The country's geographical position, nestled between Peru and Colombia—both leading producers of cocaine—has transformed it into a crucial transit point for narcotics intended for the United States and Europe.
Noboa’s administration recently offered a $1 million reward for the capture of José Adolfo Macías Villamar, also known as 'Fito', one of Ecuador's most notorious drug lords.
Since taking office, Noboa has initiated a stringent crackdown on the gangs and foreign cartels bringing chaos to Ecuador, which has historically been seen as one of South America’s safer countries.
However, his policies have been met with skepticism as violence and bloodshed continue, alongside reports of human rights abuses, including allegations of torture and arbitrary detentions.
The engagement with Prince, a former Navy SEAL with a controversial history, has sparked significant public concern.
Critics have expressed fears that this partnership could lead to the introduction of paramilitary tactics, reminiscent of events during Prince's tenure as CEO of Blackwater, notably the 2007 incident in Iraq that resulted in the deaths of 14 civilians.
Activists and legal experts in Ecuador have condemned the decision, likening it to an importation of foreign mercenaries to manage local conflicts.
As Noboa seeks re-election in the forthcoming April run-off against leftist candidate Luisa González, the move represents a strategic effort to position himself as a tough-on-crime leader amidst escalating violence and disorder.
