This is the new report I'm John Batsworth, Professor Evan Ellis, Ecuador.

Keto, spurred by rising violent crime and increased gang activity rights roiders, a growing

number of Ecuadorians are learning to use guns in the hope of protecting themselves

from crime.

Dozens of people are training at the country's few shooting ranges.

After President Lasso signed a decree allowing civilians to carry guns for self-defense after

completing a strict approval process.

Professor Ecuador has trouble at the top.

Lasso is not running for re-election.

A man named Korea, who is condemned as a corrupt former president, however, is said to

be very influential in the future.

And now, guns on the street.

Korea is fragile and now disintegrating.

Is this how to read this?

Because I don't see a light here to look to.

Well, I think we're not disintegrating just yet, John, but Ecuador, which is a beautiful

and formerly relatively safe and well-run country with a wonderful city culture in which

many gringos and others have gone to retire, is right now in a lot of trouble at the top

in the middle and at the bottom.

Where did that trouble from relatively small Ecuador sandwiched between two of South

America's major, cocoa producing countries, Columbia the North and improved at the South.

A lot of the Colombian cocaine began coming through Ecuador facilitated by Mexican groups,

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