Ecuador’s Vice Minister of Public Security, Jorge Rivadeneira, Outlines Strategy
Ecuador aims to stay “one step ahead” of chemical precursor trafficking networks for fentanyl production, as part of a crackdown on narco activities, stated Vice Minister Jorge Rivadeneira to AFP on Monday.
The Washington ally is concerned about being affected by this potent opoid, largely produced in Mexico, with chemical precursors sourced from China.
Rivadeneira’s Statement at the International Drugs Synthetics Conference in Quito
During the International Drugs Synthetics Conference in Quito, Rivadeneira emphasized, “We want to stay ahead of any situation or ill-intentioned desire from international networks involved in transporting chemical precursors through our country.”
Recent Seizures Highlight Concerns
Over the weekend, Ecuadorian police seized 10,000 ketamine bottles in the border province of Carchi, adjacent to Colombia. The shipment was concealed in construction blocks, originating from Peru and destined for Colombia.
Regional Collaboration and Existing Tensions
The conference, running until Tuesday, includes experts from the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Colombia, Peru, Honduras, and Panama.
Rivadeneira, a retired colonel, noted that chemical precursor findings for synthetic drugs are still in their infancy in Ecuador. He stressed, “Our goal is to safeguard our country from such advancements by international criminal bands,” and called for “collaboration from neighboring countries.”
Last week, President Daniel Noboa demanded “lack of reciprocity” and “decisive actions” from Colombia against narcotraficantes operating on both sides of the border. He imposed a 30% tariff on Colombian imports.
Regional Cooperation and Growing Narco Violence
Former Colombian police chief Jorge Luis Vargas, attending the conference, warned that criminal markets in the east aim to exploit any weaknesses, especially in the Americas, to transport precursors to labs located “in Mexico and other Central American countries.”
Despite Noboa’s hardline policies, narco violence escalates in Ecuador. The Observatorio Ecuatoriano de Crimen Organizado reported a record 52 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants in 2025.
Key Questions and Answers
- Q: Who is Jorge Rivadeneira? A: He is the Vice Minister of Public Security in Ecuador.
- Q: What is Ecuador’s concern regarding fentanyl? A: Ecuador fears being affected by the potent opoid, largely produced in Mexico with chemical precursors from China.
- Q: What recent actions have been taken by Ecuador? A: Ecuadorean police seized 10,000 bottles of ketamine in Carchi province, concealed in construction blocks from Peru destined for Colombia.
- Q: What is the goal of Ecuador’s strategy? A: To stay ahead of international criminal networks transporting chemical precursors for fentanyl production.
- Q: What is the current state of synthetic drug precursors in Ecuador? A: Findings are still in their infancy, according to Rivadeneira.
- Q: How has President Daniel Noboa responded to narco activities? A: He imposed a 30% tariff on Colombian imports and demanded decisive actions from Colombia.
- Q: What is the current situation with narco violence in Ecuador? A: Despite hardline policies, narco violence escalates in Ecuador with a record 52 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants in 2025.
