Frail democracies in the Americas are struggling to contain transnational criminal gangs, and Ecuador is their latest target. The small country of 17.8 million needs U.S. help to avoid becoming a criminal and terror state.
Armed gang members in Guayaquil triggered panic last week when they burst onto a live television set. The population went into self-imposed lockdown, but not before a surge of looting, hostage-taking, car bombs and gun violence.
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