Ecuador clamps down on lucrative illegal gold mines

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Quito: The Ecuadorian military has launched a major crackdown to shut down illegal gold mines near the Colombian border following a state of exception declared by President Rafael Correa.

The emergency declaration targeted the cantons of San Lorenzo and El Alfaro, sending troops to dismantle operations and destroy heavy machinery. Authorities estimate that more than 120 illicit gold mines operate across these two northern cantons.

Security Minister Homero Arellano stated that the primary objective of the military operation is protecting the local population from severe environmental damage caused by toxic, unregulated mining techniques. The sudden enforcement action resulted in at least three recorded injuries during initial enforcement clashes.

Government concerns extend beyond environmental degradation to national security threats. Ecuadorian officials fear the uncontrolled expansion of clandestine mining could mirror neighboring Colombia, where illegal gold profits heavily fund active drug-trafficking organizations.