It was time for after-school pickup at the San Francisco de Asís elementary school in downtown Guayaquil one recent afternoon when someone slotted pamphlets beneath the windshield wipers of the school’s minibuses. The message was cordial but ominous.
“Greetings from the CJNG Group,” it said, misspelling the word “greetings.” “We want to come to an agreement: 6,000 to 4,500 Are we clear (sic).”
At ...
The CJNG Group's infiltration into Ecuador reflects broader trends of transnational organized crime extending their reach. This event can be seen as part of a pattern where criminal groups exploit vulnerabilities in the system, such as weak enforcement or regulatory gaps. The response from law enforcement appears to have had some success, but it also highlights the need for comprehensive strategies addressing root causes. Meanwhile, the societal impact includes increased fear and potential econo...