Guayaquil extortion rackets impose sector-based fees, threats escalate

Criminal groups in Guayaquil are systematically extorting homes, businesses, and workers, with fees varying by sector and enforced through threats. This reflects an entrenched pattern of organized crime control over economic activity in the city, though the scale and specific groups involved remain unclear. The situation underscores the broader security crisis in Ecuador, which has implications for investment and public safety.