Date of Award

Winter 3-25-2025

Document Type

Undergraduate Thesis

Degree Name

B.A. in International Relations

Organizational Unit

Josef Korbel School of International Studies, International Studies

First Advisor

Sandy Johnson

Second Advisor

Kara Nau

Third Advisor

Rachel Sigman

Fourth Advisor

Kate Tennis

Fifth Advisor

Oliver Kaplan

Copyright Statement / License for Reuse

All Rights Reserved
All Rights Reserved.

Keywords

Gang violence, Pacification, Comparative analysis, International relations, Ecuador

Abstract

Why has there been a dramatic increase in gang violence in Ecuador beginning in 2020? Cities like Guayaquil and Duran in the coastal region of Ecuador, as well as the border region that Ecuador shares with Colombia have experienced significant increases in criminal activity and with it a rise in criminal violence. I review four hypotheses for why criminal violence has emerged and proliferated within Ecuador. Analysis of primary interviews with subject matter experts in Ecuador shows that the rise in violence resulted from the 2007 efforts to reintegrate gangs into society, which set the stage for fragmentation of gangs and the decision of these groups to use violence to maintain control. The national and regional consequences of this criminal activity persist. However, at present, criminal organizations’ domination of local regions results in fragmentation of state legitimacy, a split loyalty between the recognized state and a criminal organization. This double loyalty could result in a state being unable to effectively govern or create political will in the future. This thesis concludes with policy recommendations to stem criminal violence effectively. These recommendations are that states must invest in holistic solutions that target gang membership before it starts by investing in education, while it happens, by providing other viable legal options for social advancement, and after it has finished, through reintegration resources.

Copyright Date

1-20-2025

Publication Statement

Copyright is held by the author. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.

Rights Holder

Mason Alexandra Rothenberger

Provenance

Received from author

File Format

application/pdf

Language

English (eng)

Extent

79 pgs

File Size

1.4 MB

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