Ecuador’s Drug Gangs Embrace Santa Muerte for Protection Amid Rising Violence
Drug gangs in Ecuador are increasingly invoking Santa Muerte, the Mexican ‘death saint’, for protection and, controversially, alleged human sacrifices. Altars to the saint found in drug dens indicate her significant role among criminals. This trend signals a blend of cultural and criminal elements, complicating law enforcement amid rising violence linked to drug trafficking.
In Ecuador’s drug underworld, gangs are increasingly turning to Santa Muerte, the Mexican ‘death saint’, for protection and alleged human sacrifices. Police recently discovered altars to Santa Muerte during raids, which include offerings like money and tobacco, intended to invoke the saint’s favor. According to local authorities, the belief is that devout gang members will evade capture and achieve their criminal goals by seeking the saint’s protection. This figure has now grown in prominence among Ecuadoran criminals in the city of Duran, which is plagued by gang violence.
Santa Muerte, represented as a skeletal figure, is known in Latin America as a protector and harbinger of safe passage to the afterlife. Historically linked to 18th century Mexico, she has become a focal point for many drug lords and traffickers in the region. Following the influence of the Sinaloa cartel, this idol worship has proliferated among locals in Ecuador’s criminal factions, with members tattooing her image and wearing amulets. In police operations, altars are found in a significant portion of drug busts, indicating her deep entrenchment in local gang culture.
Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa has declared several criminal gangs as terrorist groups in response to an unprecedented rise in violent crime, linking their activities to drug trafficking networks that rely on the port cities of Guayaquil and Duran for cocaine distribution. Recent actions have included emergency declarations and the deployment of troops to these areas to curb violence and gang-related activities. The state of emergency showcases the government’s approach to addressing crime, following multiple violent incidents, including attacks in public settings.
Despite the Church’s condemnation of Santa Muerte worship, local acceptance persists. Many Ecuadorians blend traditional Catholic beliefs with new practices associated with the death saint, leading to widespread sale of her depictions across various platforms. However, this has raised concerns, as those possessing Santa Muerte items could be misidentified as gang members during government crackdowns on criminal elements. The societal implications of this overlap between folk beliefs and criminality complicate the government’s efforts to maintain public safety.
In law enforcement, some officers have reported feelings of illness or dizziness during their interaction with Santa Muerte altars, though these claims vary significantly among police personnel. Officers typically refrain from destroying the statues, preserving the right to worship as a legal consideration under Ecuador’s laws. Authorities acknowledge the complexities of navigating criminal behavior and cultural practices in their pursuit of safety and order in the context of growing drug violence.
The article examines the evolving influence of Santa Muerte in Ecuador’s criminal landscape, especially among drug gangs in urban settings like Duran. It highlights the cultural significance of Santa Muerte, who, despite being recognized as a portrayal of death, is revered by thousands as a guardian figure. Her emergence in Ecuador notably coincides with the activities of notorious drug traffickers who have imported the practice from Mexico, illustrating a cross-border exchange of beliefs rooted in the narcotics trade. Ecuador, with increasing violence linked to drug trafficking from neighboring Colombia and Peru, has become embroiled in a challenging situation where criminality intermingles with local customs, complicating law enforcement efforts.
The integration of Santa Muerte into Ecuador’s criminal underworld reflects a troubling blend of cultural practices and violence, as drug gangs seek her protection amid rising crime rates. Despite government crackdowns on violence, Santa Muerte’s growing acceptance complicates public perception and law enforcement activities, potentially leading to misidentification of innocents as gang members. The ongoing challenges faced by Ecuadorian authorities underscore the complexities of combatting drug-related violence while recognizing cultural freedom and beliefs.
Original Source: www.cbsnews.com
