by Jose Nino, Big League Politics:

On April 2, 2023, Ecuadorian Guillermo Lasso announced an authorization that allowed civilians to carry and use firearms as crime is increasing across the country.

According to a Reuters report, crime has reached a point where it has become difficult to tame. The Lasso government believes that arming lawful individuals will help his government fight this surging crime wave.

As he announced this policy, Lasso stated, “We have a common enemy: petty crime, drug trafficking, and organized crime.”