May 27 (UPI) -- President Daniel Noboa began his second term in Ecuador facing a series of critical challenges that will shape the country's direction over the next four years.
Ecuador is in the midst of a severe security crisis, with more than 8,000 violent deaths recorded in 2024 and a 58% rise in homicides during the first months of 2025, according to the Interior Ministry. The country has become a key route for international drug trafficking, fueling the surge in violence and insecurity.
During his inauguration speech on Saturday, Noboa focused on public safety, economic recovery and calls for national unity.
Drug trafficking drives 94% of crimes reported in Ecuador. Authorities have labeled more than a dozen gangs as terrorist organizations, many with links to international criminal organizations such as Mexico's Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation cartels, as well as the Albanian mafia.
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