Opinion | Troubled Ecuador Needs U.S. Help

Frail democracies in the Americas are struggling to contain transnational criminal gangs, and Ecuador is their latest target. The small country of 17.8 million needs U.S. help to avoid becoming a criminal and terror state.

Armed gang members in Guayaquil triggered panic last week when they burst onto a live television set. The population went into self-imposed lockdown, but not before a surge of looting, hostage-taking, car bombs and gun violence.