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Ecuador Concerned About Colombian Armed Groups
(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Many Ecuadorian adults are convinced that guerrillas from neighbouring Colombia are operating inside their border, according to a poll by Informe Confidencial. 82 per cent of respondents in Quito—and 76 per cent of respondents in Guayaquil—think Colombian armed groups are already present in Ecuador.
In July 2003, Colombian president Álvaro Uribe and leaders from the paramilitary United Self-Defence Forces of Colombia (AUC) signed an agreement in which the latter committed to gradually demobilize its factions and cease to exist by December 2005. Two other armed groups—the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the National Liberation Army (ELN)—currently operate in the South American country, financing their operations through kidnappings, and by trading drugs and precious metals.
Yesterday, Ecuadorian Police spokesman Juan Zapata announced that two suspected FARC members had been arrested in Quito. Zapata said an investigation is currently underway to see if the two detainees participated in a Jun. 25 attack on a Colombian military base, which was allegedly launched from Ecuador. Armed group spokesman Luis Edgar Devia, a.k.a Raúl Reyes, said the FARC is not operating from Ecuador and called the allegations "lies and deficiencies in intelligence-gathering."
Respondents in both of Ecuador's main cities are divided over how to deal with Colombia's guerrillas. 52 per cent of respondents in Quito—and 47 per cent of respondents in Guayaquil—support the development of a joint strategy between the armed forces of both countries.
Polling Data
Do you think Colombian armed groups are already present in Ecuador?
Quito | Guayaquil | |
Yes | 82% | 76% |
No | 17% | 18% |
Do you think the armed forces in both Colombia and Ecuador should work together to combat armed groups, or should each military work independently controlling its own border?
Quito | Guayaquil | |
Together | 52% | 47% |
Independently | 48% | 50% |
Source: Informe Confidencial
Methodology: Interviews to 500 Ecuadorian adults in Quito and Guayaquil, conducted on Jul. 2, 2005. Margin of error is 3.5 per cent.