The survey was applied to 458 businesses, which expressed concern about criminal acts such as extortion, theft, and kidnappings. According to OECO, three out of four small businesses were victims of some crime.

The investigation revealed that among the most frequent forms of extortion are direct collection, calls, and “fictitious solidarity raffles”, through which tickets are given out in exchange for the payment of mandatory fees.

Other crimes that worry the business sector are the theft of merchandise and the kidnapping of employees or managers.

In 2023, 21,811 extortion complaints were made in Ecuador, an increase of 364 percent compared to 2022. Analysts have warned that the escalation in the number of extortion shows that criminal groups are gaining ground.

Despite the declaration of internal armed conflict, the state of emergency, and the presence of soldiers in the streets, violence in the country does not stop, nor do murders, shootings, extortions, kidnappings, and prison riots.

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