‘Government of Daniel Noboa will create the investigation force against extortion’

The following article was provided by the Embassy of the Republic of Ecuador for publication by The Korea Post media, publisher of 3 English and 2 Korean-language news publications since 1985.—Ed.

Colonel Byron Ramos, director of DINASED, spoke about the firm commitment of the National Government in the fight against the crimes of extortion and kidnapping in the country.

In that sense, he highlighted the significant progress made to guarantee the safety and protection of all Ecuadorians, after the declarations of a state of emergency and internal armed conflict.

First of all, Colonel Ramos emphasized that the figures on extortions and kidnappings at the national level have not experienced an increase, but rather a notable decrease and containment, especially in provinces such as Pichincha, Esmeraldas, El Oro, Manabí and others. Furthermore, he pointed out that the 2,543 crimes of extortion, reported by public opinion these days, is a figure that corresponds to the national level.

Regarding Zone 8, which includes the Guayaquil, Durán and Samborondon cantons of the Guayas province, he indicated that it is in a phase of active containment that is expected to decrease as the Fénix Plan continues to be applied.

In addition, other complementary measures are established in order to reduce crime rates.

For example, he pointed out that for two months a strategy that contemplates the creation of the Anti-Extortion Investigation Force (FICE in Spanish acronym) has been implemented in territories with the highest incidence.

This force will work together with DINASED, the National Anticrime Investigation Unit (UIAD in Spanish acronym) and the National Antikidnapping and Extortion Investigation Unit (UNASE in Spanish acronym) to combat these crimes that have shown a worrying increase since 2022.

For this, the recent incorporation of 2,300 police officers was essential. Of them, "800 police officers are going to go to the investigative axis and a large part of them will focus directly on the fight against extortion and kidnapping, that is, they will be part of UNASE," Ramos said.

International collaboration and support with a focus on strengthening cooperation with the Gaula, Colombia's police specialized in crimes such as kidnapping were also highlighted.

In addition to repressive actions, preventive activities are being implemented to provide support to the victims of these crimes and ensure that they know how to proceed with the support of law enforcement.

Thus, New Ecuador reaffirms its commitment to not stop the fight against crime. The primary objective is to restore peace and allow all Ecuadorians to live and work without fear.