On Tuesday, July 8th, Ecuador and the European Union signed a cooperation program in Quito that will allocate US$14 million to strengthen the police, the judicial system and other institutions in the fight against organised crime and violence in the Andean country. The agreement, called the Security, Hope and Resilience for Peace Program (Serpaz), seeks to improve the state's capacity to confront drug trafficking, money laundering and insecurity in the context of growing violence.

The event, held at the Ecuadorian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was attended by local and European authorities. The initiative, financed by the European Union with 12 million euros and a duration of 36 months, is structured in four strategic axes: anti-money laundering security, prison security, secure cargo and resilient communities. These components aim to address structural issues and foster social cohesion in the face of transnational crime.

The Serpaz program focuses on strengthening institutional capacities to combat money laundering in addition to improving the prison system, protecting export logistics chains and preventing violence in vulnerable communities. According to official data, Ecuador seized close to 300 tons of illicit substances in 2024, reflecting the magnitude of the drug trafficking challenge in the country.

In the anti-money laundering area, the program will support the Internal Revenue Service and the Financial Analysis Unit in improving control over illicit flows. In prison security, training and restorative justice protocols will be implemented to optimise and address structural issues, fostering the management of the 35 prisons and seeking to reduce the influence of criminal gangs within them.

Ecuador faces a rising tide of violence, with 4,601 violent deaths recorded in the first half of 2025, according to the National Police, a significant increase from the 6,964 reported in all of 2024. In January 2024, President Daniel Noboa declared an internal armed conflict. The situation forced the deployment of the police and Armed Forces to contain the activity of gangs linked to Colombian and Mexican cartels.

Despite these efforts, insecurity persists, affecting both the economy and citizen confidence.

The secure cargo component will strengthen controls at key ports, including Guayaquil, Posorja, and Machala, in sectors such as bananas and cocoa to prevent the infiltration of drugs into exports.

The European Union stressed that transnational organised crime is not a problem unique to Ecuador but a shared challenge affecting Europe. Cooperation includes technical assistance from institutions such as Expertise France and the International Federation of Pension Fund Administrators. Countries such as Spain and Italy will also provide expertise in prison security and port control.

The Serpaz program is in addition to previous cooperation efforts between Ecuador and the EU. In December 2024, the European bloc committed 20 million euros for security projects, including cybersecurity and institutional strengthening. Additionally, in July 2024, a coordination unit was established with Europol to enhance the exchange of police intelligence. These initiatives reflect a joint commitment to building more robust and sustainable security systems.