The loan has a 25-year repayment period, with a five-and-a-half-year grace period
by the El Reportero‘s wire services
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) reported on Wednesday that it approved a loan of 150 million dollars, as well as a donation of another 5 million, to support Ecuador in the prevention of crimes associated with organized crime groups and in reducing their impunity.
The entity points out that this is an “unprecedented” loan, since “it is the first time that an IDB program specifically addresses the challenges of organized crime with various preventive and institutional measures.”
Specifically, the Executive Board of the organization approved the Program for the Prevention and Response to Violence and Crime in Ecuador (PREVIC), which seeks to contribute to the strengthening of Ecuador’s security model.
“Through this program, Ecuador will increase the coverage of organized crime prevention initiatives and attention to vulnerable populations, the effectiveness of criminal investigation, and the capacities for national and local security management,” says the IDB.
The IDB president, Ilan Goldfajn, noted that “this is an innovative operation that will improve the effective presence of the State in critical areas, protecting vulnerable zones, preventing recruitment, strengthening financial and forensic intelligence to reduce financial crimes, and improving coordination at the local and regional level.”
Three components
The entity recognizes that Ecuador faces multiple challenges and one of them is “the increase in criminal violence since 2018.” This, it indicates, prevents the country from advancing its development agenda and hinders economic recovery.
The PREVIC approved by the IDB contemplates, among other things, the implementation of a new model of preventive police service; the construction of at least 12 Civic Centers for Life and Peace with integrated services for adolescents and young people aimed at preventing recruitment; and work towards an orderly and safe migration.
Also included is the creation of the Police cyber centre and the modernisation of the information systems of the Ministry of the Interior and the police force.
The loan of 150 million dollars has a repayment period of 25 years, with a grace period of five and a half years.
