On the border between two rival gangs: CNN meets top commander deep in Ecuador’s gang territory | CNN

On the border between two rival gangs: CNN meets top commander deep in Ecuador’s gang territory

By David Culver and Barbara Arvanitidis, CNN

Published 7:19 AM EDT, Thu August 7, 2025

Screenshot 2025-08-07 at 6.13.15 AM.png

On the border between two rival gangs: CNN meets top commander deep in Ecuador’s gang territory

Local contacts help CNN Senior National Correspondent David Culver and team navigate through rival gang territory in Tres Postas, Ecuador, and a top commander agrees to speak to his role in the country’s exploding cycle of violence. Watch "Ecuador: The Narco Superhighway" on "The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper" Sunday August 10 at 9pm ET on CNN.

3:11 • Source: CNN

World News 11 videos

Screenshot 2025-08-07 at 6.13.15 AM.png

On the border between two rival gangs: CNN meets top commander deep in Ecuador’s gang territory

03:11

Now playing

• Source: CNN

<p>Alexander Zverev talks to TNT Sports after his five-set thriller against Flavio Cobolli for his first career major title. </p>

Alexander Zverev talks about his French Open win after a five-set thriller against Flavio Cobolli

00:39

Now playing

• Source: CNN

<p>Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva talks to TNT Sports after winning the French Open and her first career major title</p>

Mirra Andreeva speaks on winning French Open and first career major title

00:24

Now playing

• Source: CNN

Screenshot 2026-06-08 at 2.20.51 PM.png

7.8 magnitude earthquake strikes off coast of Philippines

00:44

Now playing

• Source: CNN

22695147 - 100 days iran 16x9 cln thumb.jpg

100 days in: Trump administration repeatedly vowed war's end is near

01:39

Now playing

• Source: CNN

16x9_loop.00_00_02_28.Still006.jpg

Restaurant partially collapses after 7.8 magnitude earthquake in Philippines

00:14

Now playing

• Source: CNN

22693211 - Suspected Terror Attack thumb.jpg

One killed in suspected terror attack in Israel

00:45

Now playing

• Source: CNN

CNN speaks with Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson

03:04

Now playing

• Source: CNN

Screenshot 2026-06-06 at 1.13.43 PM.png

Smerconish: 'Iran is watching'

05:29

Now playing

• Source: CNN

Intelligence agencies warn China is using sites like Linkedin to recruit & spy

01:23

Now playing

• Source: CNN

IRAN TUNNELS THUMB 1.jpg

Iran is quickly unearthing its huge missile arsenal, CNN analysis shows

02:50

Now playing

• Source: CNN