A state of emergency in Ecuador

Wednesday, January 10, 2024

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Here's what's on tap today:

UP FIRST: A state of emergency in Ecuador

CATCH UP: How the Stanley Cup became that girl

—Li Zhou, senior reporter

UP FIRST

Escalating drug violence in Ecuador

Ecuadorian troops patrol in Quito, Ecuador, Jan. 9, 2024. Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa on Tuesday declared ''internal armed conflict'' and mobilized the army to combat organized crime linked to drug trafficking, following an escalation in violence in the South American country.

Mateo Armas/Xinhua/Getty Images

Ecuador has been plunged into chaos this past week after trouble in prisons — including a gang leader's escape — prompted President Daniel Noboa to declare a national state of emergency.

This crisis only deepened on Tuesday when masked gunmen stormed a live TV news broadcast and threatened staff on air. The gunmen — some of whom said they were part of the "mafia" — were ultimately subdued by police, and no members of the news cast were killed.

The violence underscores the growing power that drug-smuggling gangs have amassed in Ecuador and the gangs' attempts to push back against Noboa and others in authority who are trying to fight them.

What sparked the recent violence: Adolfo Macías Villamar, a prominent gang leader also known as "Fito," escaped from prison this past weekend. Since then, there have been violent riots in several prisons, multiple attacks on police, and explosions and looting in the streets.
A surge in hostage-taking: Imprisoned gang members have taken at least 130 prison guards and staff hostage across the country, while others have targeted police for kidnappings.
A state of emergency: After President Noboa's declaration, a curfew was imposed across the country and the military was empowered to patrol the streets and take over Ecuador's prisons. Noboa has said Ecuador is dealing with "internal armed conflict" and has directed the military to "neutralize" the gangs.
How things got here: The latest developments add to growing drug violence in Ecuador. Between 2020 and 2022, the homicide rate in Ecuador doubled as drug gangs' presence in the country grew. Noboa promised to stop the gangs, in part by building a new, severe prison akin to one recently opened in El Salvador.
Why gangs have gotten so dominant: Ecuador is located between Colombia and Peru, two major cocaine producers, which makes it a prime hub for cartels looking to transport the drug. As detailed by Council of Foreign Relations fellow Will Freeman, government policies and corruption have allowed gangs to thrive.

CATCH UP

Why people are so obsessed with the Stanley Cup

A Palestinian man dressed in all black stands in the ruins of a bombed room, pointing towards the missing exterior walls; all around him are pieces of broken household goods.

Paige Vickers/Vox; Getty Images; Stanley

If you've seen the viral videos of people tussling in Target or tweens eagerly opening their Christmas presents, you know the Stanley Cup — a stainless steel tumbler — has stirred up quite the frenzy among some shoppers.

In a deep dive this week, Vox's Alex Abad-Santos takes a look at how this brand — once primarily a staple for blue-collar workers and members of the military — has tapped into a whole new market and gone from $73 million in revenue in 2019 to $750 million in 2023.

Alex's investigation — which included testing out a Stanley — tracks its success to a host of factors including aesthetics, a memorable viral moment, and the idea that it stands for something more than just a way to carry water:

"Slyly, what's also being sold is the idea of health and hydration as status," Alex writes. "Athleisure brands or group fitness classes operate similarly: if you buy these clothes or go to these classes, you will unlock a better, healthier version of yourself."

VERBATIM

🗣️ "The first thing they teach you in the military is that bad news doesn't get better with age."

—Peter Feaver, a Duke University professor and former White House National Security Council (NSC) staffer who studies civil-military relations, on Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's decision to delay disclosure about his medical condition. [Vox]

AROUND THE WEB

Stormy weather: Rain, snow, and tornadoes are buffeting states on the East Coast and in the South. [NYT]
The latest on a government shutdown: The House and Senate have a topline deal on the annual spending bills. They might still need another short-term measure to keep the government open, though. [The Hill]
Drama in the House: In addition to funding in-fighting, House Republicans went after President Joe Biden's son, Hunter Biden, when he made a surprise cameo appearance at an Oversight Committee hearing on Wednesday. [CNN]