La Relevancia de la Gestión Pública y el Derecho para Combatir al Crimen Organizado en el Ecuador

This article analyses the relevance of public management and law in the fight against organised crime in Ecuador, taking into account the regulatory framework, institutional capacities and implemented strategies. The methodology used consisted of a systematic review of academic literature and official documents, complemented by the analysis of key regulations such as the Penal Code, the Asset Forfeiture Law and the Law on International Cooperation in Criminal Matters, as well as the evaluation of the capacities of institutions such as the Judicial Council, the National Police and the Strategic Intelligence Centre. The results highlight that the Ecuadorian legal framework has made progress in the classification of crimes related to organised crime and in the recovery of illicit assets. However, it faces operational and legal limitations that hinder its full effectiveness. At the institutional level, weaknesses are identified such as the lack of inter-institutional coordination, limited resources and an insufficient focus on criminal intelligence, factors that restrict the State's ability to act efficiently. The findings highlight that, although important legal and institutional tools exist, their impact depends on coordinated application, the constant updating of regulations and the strengthening of technical and human capacities.