Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa used his State of the Union address to highlight his administration's efforts against organized crime and to report on economic improvements. Speaking to the National Assembly in the capital, Quito, on Sunday, Noboa pointed to the extradition of a dozen crime bosses to the United States and the seizure of nearly 300 tonnes of drugs as evidence of his decisive approach.

Noboa, who was reelected last year for a four-year term, has made tackling rampant organized crime a central theme of his presidency. The nation has struggled with escalating drug violence since 2021, as rival cartels exploit the country's strategic location between Colombia and Peru, the world's leading cocaine producers, to smuggle narcotics. This surge in violence led to Ecuador recording its highest homicide rate in decades last year, with approximately 50 murders per 100,000 residents.

In response to the escalating crisis, Noboa declared a state of exception, empowering the military to collaborate with police on anti-crime operations. These measures include joint patrols and property searches without warrants. Earlier this year, Ecuadorian forces, in conjunction with U.S. personnel, conducted an operation targeting a suspected Colombian drug traffickers' training camp using drones, helicopters, and boats.

"We will seek them out, find them and extradite them," Noboa declared during his address, vowing to pursue wanted criminals. He emphasized that national development is impossible while citizens live in fear, underscoring organized crime as the primary concern for Ecuadorians.

Despite the president's optimistic portrayal, civil society groups have raised concerns about the effectiveness and potential abuses of Noboa's stringent security measures. Critics argue that these iron-fisted tactics have not demonstrably reduced crime and may endanger civilians. Glaedys Gonzalez, an analyst for the Andean region at the International Crisis Group, expressed skepticism regarding the reported security progress, noting that the situation in Ecuador remains at unprecedented levels.

Beyond security, President Noboa also reported positive economic indicators. He informed lawmakers that poverty had decreased from 26 percent to 21.4 percent in 2025, with extreme poverty falling from 10.4 percent to 8.4 percent during the same period. These figures suggest a potential positive impact of his administration's policies on the country's socio-economic landscape.

Noboa first came to power in a snap election in 2023, which was called after then-President Guillermo Lasso dissolved the National Assembly, shortening his own term. The current administration faces the challenge of balancing robust crime-fighting strategies with the protection of civil liberties and ensuring sustainable economic growth.

Unresolved questions remain regarding the long-term impact of the state of exception and the sustainability of the reported economic gains. The effectiveness of extraditions as a sole deterrent and the potential for further escalation of violence by organized crime groups also warrant continued observation.