The Columbia-Ecuador organised crime and security nexus
Think tank: RUSI
Author(s): Jennifer Scotland; Dr Carlos Solar; Elijah Glantz
June 19, 2026
This report from UK think tank RUSI explores how Colombia’s evolving criminal landscape has transformed Ecuador into a central hub for global drug trafficking.
This paper provides a critical analysis of how Colombia’s evolving criminal landscape has transformed Ecuador into a central hub for global drug trafficking, driving unprecedented violence and challenging regional security and governance.
Drawing on expert workshops and extensive research, the authors detail how the fragmentation of Colombian armed groups and the resulting spillover have exposed deep institutional vulnerabilities in Ecuador. The study highlights the failure of militarised enforcement alone and underscores the urgent need for a coordinated, long-term strategy to address the intertwined security threats facing both countries.
Key Recommendations:
Establish a Joint Intelligence and Operations Centre for the border region to enable real-time data sharing and coordinated field operations across maritime, air and land domains.
Formalise a structured capacity-building programme for security forces, promoting two-way knowledge exchange on counterinsurgency, counternarcotics, cyber intelligence and port security.
Expand bilateral cooperation to include civilian institutions, think tanks and universities for knowledge generation, policy development and public accountability, potentially through trilateral partnerships with international organisations.
Invest in building trust and social legitimacy of security forces by engaging youth and underrepresented communities, strengthening anti-corruption measures and implementing transparent internal controls.
Embed security cooperation agreements within long-term strategic frameworks with bipartisan support to ensure continuity beyond short-term political shifts.
This paper is essential reading for defence and security professionals seeking actionable insights into the Colombia–Ecuador organised crime nexus and practical pathways to restore state legitimacy and disrupt transnational criminal networks.
