Armed Forces and National Police joined by public safety

Armed Forces and National Police

Ecuador’s Armed Forces and the National Police decided to join forces again to fight against insecurity and strengthen internal control.

Yesterday, the two entities formed a Joint Operational Strategic Command  to define fields of action on each institution in order to carry out, successfully,  the integrated operational programs nationwide.

The Defense Minister, Maria Fernanda Espinosa, said that this work will take place on three levels. The politic, which is defined by the Interior and Defense Ministry; the strategic and comprehensive planning, in charge of military commanders and the police; and finally the tactical-operational command including the integrated coordination.

The agreement states, among other things, that the control will be on issues such as fighting drug trafficking, illegal mining, organized crime, weapons and fuel trafficking.

Within 20 days a Directive will be formed along with the priority sites for operations. Also, the place to built the Joint Operational Strategic Command will be defined.