elpais.com
Extortion Rings Exploit Bereaved Families in Guayaquil Cemeteries
In Guayaquil, Ecuador, criminal groups extort grieving families at public cemeteries, demanding $250-$350 to build burial tombs—a service that should be free—while official extortion reports increased by 165% from 2022 to 2023.
- What factors contribute to the escalating number of extortion cases in Guayaquil, and how do these crimes affect public trust in government institutions?
- This extortion scheme reveals the deep penetration of criminal organizations into public services in Guayaquil. The significant increase in extortion cases—165% from 2022 to 2023, reaching 20,293 in 2024—demonstrates a systemic problem. This infiltration exploits the emotional vulnerability of bereaved families, who often lack the resources or courage to challenge the criminal activity.
- How are criminal organizations exploiting the free burial services offered by public cemeteries in Guayaquil, and what is the immediate impact on grieving families?
- In Guayaquil, Ecuador, families are being extorted by criminal groups operating within public cemeteries. The cost to construct a cement tomb, supposedly a free service, is inflated to $250-$350, far exceeding the actual cost of $100. This exploitation targets vulnerable families during their grieving process.
- What systemic changes are needed in Guayaquil to address the infiltration of criminal groups into public services and prevent future exploitation of vulnerable populations?
- The lack of response from the Guayaquil municipality, despite the clear evidence of extortion, indicates a failure of governance. The impunity enjoyed by these criminal groups allows them to operate openly, transforming public services into profitable criminal enterprises. This trend suggests a potential for further escalation of violence and exploitation unless strong action is taken.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The narrative focuses on the emotional distress and financial exploitation experienced by the families, emphasizing the negative aspects of the situation. The use of emotionally charged words such as "extortion," "exploit," and descriptions of the victims' feelings of "impotence" and vulnerability significantly shapes the reader's perception of the events. The headline (if one existed) would likely reinforce this negative framing. The opening anecdote serves to immediately establish the emotional core of the piece, focusing on the hardship and unfairness of the situation.
Language Bias
The article utilizes strong language to convey the severity of the situation. Words like "extortion," "exploited," "impotencia" (impotence), and descriptions of the high-interest lenders as "chulqueros" (a term suggesting a connection to criminal activity) carry strong negative connotations. While these words are appropriate given the context, they contribute to an overall tone that is strongly critical of the situation. More neutral alternatives could be used in some instances, for example, instead of "extortion" one could use "illegal charges", but given the severity of the situation, the stronger language may be justified.
Bias by Omission
The article omits details about the municipality's response to the allegations of extortion. While it mentions a promise of a spokesperson, the lack of a response by publication deadline is significant and leaves the reader without the municipality's perspective or potential rebuttal. This omission weakens the article's overall objectivity. Further, there is no mention of any actions taken by the authorities to investigate these claims or to prevent future incidents of extortion within the cemetery. This lack of information on government response is a crucial omission.
False Dichotomy
The article doesn't present a false dichotomy, but it implicitly contrasts the past, when burials were inexpensive, with the present, where extortion is rampant. This comparison highlights the drastic change in the situation without suggesting alternative explanations or solutions. While not a strict false dichotomy, the implied "eitheor" (cheap burials vs. extortion) simplifies a complex situation.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article highlights the infiltration of criminal structures into public spaces, specifically targeting vulnerable families during bereavement. The extortion at the public cemetery demonstrates a failure of institutions to protect citizens and uphold the rule of law, undermining justice and security. The significant increase in extortion cases further underscores the weakening of institutions and the impunity enjoyed by criminal groups. This directly impacts SDG 16, which aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.