The murder of prosecutor César Suárez This Wednesday afternoon in Guayaquil is just the tip of the iceberg of violence that Ecuador has suffered Every 69 minutes someone dies due to insecurity. As a result, shielding clothing, vehicles, homes and offices has become a growing necessity to stay safe.
The numbers are overwhelming. According to the German statistics portal Statista, the murder rate per 100,000 inhabitants increased by 300% in 2023, reaching the historic record of 7,878, of which only 584 were solved.
The youngest victim is Suárez, who was investigating the hostage-taking on January 9th on the public broadcaster TC Televisión by the criminal gang “Los Tiguerones” and important corruption cases.
The authorities assured that the prosecutor was traveling alone in a white van that received almost twenty shots and that Suárez was not wearing a bulletproof vest.
If you think about it “the most violent country in Latin America” According to the Ecuadorian Organized Crime Observatory, it is not unusual for the bulletproof protective goods business to grow.
“Last year we sold 6,500 bulletproof vests and the forecast is to sell 10,000 in 2024,” he told EFE. Christoph Eggeling General Manager of Globalsegupro company, owner of the EggelingArmored brand.
In its production facility installed in Quito, the company uses state-of-the-art materials imported from the United States and Europe, such as Dyneema, considered the most resilient fiber in the world, and Kevlar, resistant to bullet impacts, high temperatures and chemical exposure.
“It is a natural reaction to want to protect ourselves from the insecurity that we suffer every day,” said the businessman, explaining that the price of the vests ranges from $280 to $1,300 depending on the level of protection.
The United States National Institute of Justice (NIJ) is responsible for setting the armor standard, which begins at Level IIA to effectively deter 9-millimeter bullets and jacketed or “full metal jacket” bullets, and extends to Level IV effectively for bullets in the Caliber 7.62 millimeters and up to .30.
In August 2023, images caused a stir of then-presidential candidate Daniel Noboa taking part in a debate wearing a dark suit, tie and bulletproof vest.
From that moment on, other candidates followed in the footsteps of the current president, who visited the facilities of the TC television channel on January 12 to show solidarity with the personnel who had suffered from the armed group's insurgency.
That day he was wearing a black T-shirt and pants. However, several experts on the subject told EFE that Noboa was wearing a “tank top” (sleeveless shirt) with Level IIIA armor underneath, which provides side ballistic protection to vital organs and whose price varies between $1,300 and $1,545.
In tactical police equipment, Specializing in the sale of tactical clothing and footwear and distributor of the Colombian brand Miguel Caballero, known as the “tailor of tank fashion”, demand for garments similar to those of the president has increased by 35% compared to last year in Guayaquil and 15% in Quito.
“We are most asked about the 'Tank Top' because it is something discreet that gives executives, business people and politicians a sense of security by withstanding the impact of 9mm and .44 Magnum bullets,” explained the administrative manager of the company, Rubén Camba.
The concern and nervousness prevalent in Ecuador now make it “normal” to cite the armoring of windows and doors for homes and offices, trying to turn the vehicle into a bunker on wheels.
Fernando Sanchez, The general director of AutoExpress explained that evidence of the escalation of the armed conflict was that “the company armored 40 vehicles in 2022; in 2023 there were 160, and in January alone there have been 30 confirmed operations.”
The process is not easy and takes between three and four weeks. It involves completely dismantling the car, removing the upholstery, trim, and electrical and electronic parts until only the cans remain, and starting from the ground up with highly durable fibers and steel.
Average armor to protect the entire cabin from handguns and up to 45 magnum caliber includes 100 percent customization of glass, doors and front and costs an average of $20,000.
“Against shots from a rifle that is 100% steel armor, the price goes up to $40,000 to $50,000 because they turn the vehicle into a bunker,” Sánchez said.
With the violence in Ecuador far from stopping, a new line of business has emerged: architectural screening, which costs $10,000 to $15,000 and almost always includes the facade of the office or house because, as the executive claimed, “it's no price.” gives”. very high when it comes to sustaining life.
