Unfortunately Ecuador has entered a rough spot through a combination of corruption and bad luck. I do object to saying Ecuador is one of the safer south american countries. The southern cone enjoys european like social and economuc conditions.

Colombia is now a pretty safe and reliable country for example. Unfortunately that is one of the factors that pushed Ecuador in a bad spot. As someone said before it became the weakest link.

In any case following the strategies of my south american compatriots is hardly a good idea on a global scale. It creates a vicious cycle of paranoia and inequality which leads to even more problems