Ecuador And Bolivia's Political Unrest: Root Causes

Political and social unrest in Ecuador and Bolivia have been caused by a multitude of problems, including economic crises, election fraud, and corruption. In Bolivia, the 2019 resignation and exile of longtime President Evo Morales, following accusations of election fraud, sparked demonstrations and political turmoil. The Movement for Socialism (MAS) party returned to power in 2020 with the election of President Luis Arce, but the country continues to face economic challenges and calls for greater transparency in political processes. Ecuador, meanwhile, experienced a political crisis in 2023 due to the impeachment trial and subsequent dissolution of parliament by President Guillermo Lasso, triggering early elections. Ecuador is also grappling with increasing violence and organized crime, leading to a state of internal armed conflict declared by President Daniel Noboa.

Corruption and election fraud

Ecuador and Bolivia have both experienced political unrest due to issues of corruption and election fraud.

Ecuador

Ecuador has long been viewed as a country riddled with corruption. In 2014, the U.S. Department of State cited corruption as a key human-rights problem in Ecuador, and Freedom House asserted that "Ecuador has long been racked by corruption". The country's weak judicial oversight and investigative resources perpetuate a culture of impunity.

Ecuador's former president, Rafael Correa, has been accused of corruption and abuse of power. In 2016, the United Nations Human Rights Committee (OHCHR) ruled that Correa had violated the civil rights of two prominent bankers, Roberto and William Isaias, by confiscating their businesses without due process. Correa also established the National Anticorruption Secretariat, which gave public officials the task of investigating the corruption of other public officials, and abolished the Civic Anti-Corruption Commission, which was formed to prevent such conflicts of interest.

In 2019, Ecuador's president, Lenin Moreno, was confronted with the challenge of ending the political instability and corruption that had plagued the country under Correa's regime. While Moreno made some progress, he ultimately struggled to implement effective anti-corruption measures.

Ecuador's police force and customs system have also been criticised for their involvement in corruption. The Business Anti-Corruption Portal has reported that Ecuador's public procurement sector is accused of corruption, with a high level of favouritism and kickbacks.

Bolivia

Bolivia has also faced political turmoil due to issues of corruption and election fraud. In 2019, longtime President Evo Morales resigned amid accusations of election fraud. Morales had ignored the results of a referendum that banned him from running for president again, and his efforts to extend term limits were perceived as an authoritarian bid to hold onto power.

The 2019 election fraud accusations sparked widespread demonstrations and protests against Morales' alleged victory. The opposition parties voiced concerns about fraud early on, and auditors from the Organization of American States (OAS) and the European Union (EU) found evidence of forged ballot counts, ballot stuffing, a secret server, a vulnerable system, and statistical evidence of manipulation.

Bolivia has persistently underperformed in anti-corruption efforts, and individual perceptions of corruption have increased considerably. Data from the Latin American Public Opinion Project shows that 46% of respondents in 2019 reported that corruption among public officials was very widespread, compared to 32% in 2014.

The country's former interim President, Jeanine Añez, has also been accused of corruption and persecuting political opponents. After Morales' resignation, Añez oversaw retribution against supporters of Morales' Movement towards Socialism (MAS) party, further eroding trust in Bolivia's political system and institutions.

Police brutality and human rights abuses

Ecuador and Bolivia have both experienced political and social unrest in recent years, with police brutality and human rights abuses being a significant concern in both countries.

Ecuador

In Ecuador, the government has been criticised for its response to protests, with security forces accused of using excessive force and violence against demonstrators. During protests in October 2019, security forces fired tear gas indiscriminately at protesters, sometimes in enclosed spaces or from a close range that could cause injuries. There are also reports of police brutality, with protesters suffering injuries such as bruises and broken bones. The government declared a state of siege to mobilise military forces, which resulted in further allegations of human rights abuses. According to the Ombudsperson's Office, at least four of the eleven people who died during the protests were victims of excessive police force.

Ecuador is also facing a wave of violence, neoliberalism, and drug trafficking. The country has seen a rise in the number of drug trafficking gangs, with the homicide rate being among the highest in Latin America. The internal armed conflict and the government's response have led to a state of insecurity and a trend towards authoritarianism.

Bolivia

Bolivia has also faced political turmoil since 2019, with accusations of election fraud and protests calling for more transparent political processes. The country's former president, Evo Morales, was accused of election fraud and fled the country, leading to a political crisis. During this time, there were reports of police brutality and human rights abuses, with security forces accused of using excessive force against protesters.

Bolivia has a history of human rights issues, including unlawful killings, torture, harsh prison conditions, lack of judicial independence, political prosecutions, arbitrary detention, censorship, and physical attacks on journalists. The government has taken steps to prosecute members of the security services involved in abuses, but inconsistent law application and a dysfunctional judiciary have led to impunity in many cases.

In conclusion, both Ecuador and Bolivia have experienced political unrest, with police brutality and human rights abuses being a significant concern. The security forces in both countries have been accused of using excessive force and violence against protesters, with a lack of accountability and proper investigations. These issues have contributed to the political and social instability in the region.

Gang violence and drug trafficking

Ecuador's proximity to major cocaine-producing countries, its dollarized economy, and its corrupt state institutions have made it a hub for drug trafficking and gang-related violence. The country's location and economic policies have made it an ideal location for money laundering, and its weak financial controls have made it a hotspot for laundering illicit profits.

Ecuador's drug problem is exacerbated by its proximity to Colombia and Peru, two of the world's largest coca-producing countries. Ecuador's northern border with Colombia, in particular, has become a significant drug trafficking route since the 2016 peace agreement between the Colombian government and the FARC. This has resulted in an influx of Colombian and Venezuelan criminals into Ecuador, as well as increased gang activity and violence.

Ecuador's southern border with Peru is also a concern, as Guayaquil has become an outlet for coca grown in that country. In addition, the presence of traffickers from the Balkans and Italian criminal groups in Guayaquil suggests that the city is becoming a hub for the European drug market.

The Ecuadorian government's response to the drug crisis has been heavily influenced by the military and police forces, with President Lasso declaring a state of emergency and invoking the "muerte cruzada" constitutional measure to dissolve the National Assembly and avoid impeachment. This has been largely ineffective in curbing gang violence and has led to accusations of creeping authoritarianism.

The country's prisons have become centres of operations for criminal groups, with gang leaders directing operations from inside. Prison riots and violence have soared, with rival gangs battling for control of the drug trade. The situation is so severe that the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights has described it as "unprecedented levels of violence and corruption [that] respond to the abandonment of the penitentiary system by the state".

The gang violence and drug trafficking crisis in Ecuador have had a devastating impact on the country's social fabric, with entire neighbourhoods falling under the control of criminal groups and young people being lured into gang life. The livelihoods of many families depend on the drug trade, and poverty and addiction fuel each other as dealers get paid in cocaine, and unemployment leads to substance abuse.

Political repression and instability

Ecuador and Bolivia have both experienced political repression and instability in recent years.

Ecuador

Ecuador has been grappling with a profound crisis, with a wave of violence, neoliberalism, and drug trafficking. The country has seen a sharp increase in violence and activity by organised crime groups, which has led to a surge in the homicide rate. This has been exacerbated by the implementation of neoliberal policies and widespread impoverishment. Ecuador's homicide rate rose from 13.7 per 100,000 people in 2021 to 25.9 in 2022, and escalated further to about 45 in 2023, making it one of the top three most violent Latin American countries.

The country has also faced political repression and instability. In May 2023, President Guillermo Lasso invoked an article in the Ecuadorian Constitution to dissolve the legislative National Assembly and call for new elections, marking the first time an Ecuadorian president has triggered this constitutional measure. This was done in response to an impeachment trial against him, which was initiated due to corruption allegations. During this period, Lasso passed several decrees, some of which were later annulled by the Constitutional Court as they exceeded his authority.

Lasso's government has been accused of repressing protests and causing a human rights crisis. In June 2022, during a national strike called by Indigenous, trade union, and social organisations, there were reports of harassment, excessive use of force, arbitrary arrests, and attacks on journalists. Similar human rights violations were documented during protests in October 2019, which remain unpunished.

Bolivia

Bolivia has been in a state of political turmoil since 2019, following accusations of election fraud during the presidential election that year, which led to the resignation of longtime President Evo Morales. This event sparked demands for more transparency and triggered demonstrations over government abuses of power.

The country faced further political instability in 2020, with the coronavirus pandemic complicating the interim government's decision on when to hold presidential elections. The elections were postponed three times, sparking multiple demonstrations throughout the year. Luis Arce, Bolivia's former Economics and Finance Minister, ultimately won the election with 55% of the vote. However, his victory was met with dissatisfaction by citizens who opposed his party, the Movement for Socialism (MAS), and there were calls for an audit of the election process.

Bolivia has also faced issues with political repression. Journalists have faced threats, harassment, and violence, with some practising self-censorship due to fear of losing their jobs or access to government sources. There have also been reports of arbitrary arrests and detentions, with international human rights groups noting several potentially politically motivated cases initiated by the government against opponents or members of the previous government.

Economic crisis and poverty

Ecuador and Bolivia have both experienced economic crises and poverty that have contributed to political unrest.

Ecuador

Ecuador has been grappling with a profound crisis marked by heightened insecurity, neoliberal policies, and widespread impoverishment. The country's economic crisis has been exacerbated by the implementation of neoliberal policies, which have led to increased insecurity and impoverishment. The country's homicide rate is among the highest in Latin America, with Ecuadorian military forces unable to effectively tackle the issue. The country's dollarized economy also makes it attractive to drug traffickers and money launderers. Ecuador's economic woes have been further compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has caused joblessness, low income, and general insecurity.

Bolivia

Bolivia has also faced economic challenges, with the coronavirus pandemic amplifying an already difficult situation. The country's economic woes have been further exacerbated by government corruption and a lack of transparency. In addition, the country has struggled with high inflation and a lack of access to basic goods and services, which has disproportionately affected Indigenous communities and those living in poverty. Bolivia's economic crisis has led to an increase in migration, with a record number of people leaving the country in search of better opportunities.

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