El tráfico ilícito de migrantes y su afectación en el Ecuador.

Abstract

The present research addresses the problem of migrant smuggling in Ecuador, examining its impact in the national context. This phenomenon is characterized by the facilitation of the clandestine entry of people across borders, avoiding immigration controls and taking advantage of the weaknesses of the surveillance system. The study focuses on current Ecuadorian legislation, especially the Organic Law on Human Mobility, which establishes provisions to prevent human trafficking and protect victims. This law seeks to align itself with international treaties that promote the protection of migrants’ human rights and establish measures to combat this transnational crime. However, significant challenges remain for its effective implementation, mainly due to the scarcity of resources and the limited operational capacity of the institutions in charge of enforcing the law. The article highlights that migrant smuggling is not only a security problem, but also a complex phenomenon involving economic, social and human rights factors. The need for a comprehensive approach combining enforcement action against trafficking networks with public policies that facilitate safe and legal migration pathways is therefore stressed. The research highlights the crucial need to strengthen international cooperation and strengthen the capacities of national institutions to effectively combat trafficking. In conclusion, it is argued that only through a coordinated strategy, which includes both the repression of crime and the promotion of rights, can the negative effects of migrant smuggling in Ecuador be mitigated.