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

3:11

Now playing

• Source: CNN

No video or audio with new purported statement from Iran's supreme leader

3:22

Now playing

• Source: CNN

still_22468852_28402.074_thumb.jpg

War on global shipping: Iran’s attacks revive tanker war fears

3:24

Now playing

• Source: CNN

still_22467583_29897.948_still.jpg

CNN on scene following fatal strike in southern Lebanon, where children are being caught in the crossfire.

3:51

Now playing

• Source: CNN

COURCHEVEL, FRANCE - JANUARY 30: A General View during the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Women's Slalom on January 30, 2025 in Courchevel, France. (Photo by Paul Brechu/Agence Zoom/Getty Images)

Is it cheaper for Americans to ski in Europe?

1:30

Now playing

• Source: CNN

mpa 53 A block thumb.png

Regional travel is key to Southeast Asia’s tourism strategy

0:53

Now playing

• Source: CNN

Body of missing US college student found in Barcelona

1:54

Now playing

• Source: CNN

thumbnail trump japan bilat 2.jpg

Trump makes Pearl Harbor joke in front of Japan's Prime Minister

0:59

Now playing

• Source: CNN

Jimmy Gracey.png

'Taking it minute by minute': Aunt of missing college student speaks to CNN

5:42

Now playing

• Source: CNN

Hegseth: It takes money to kill bad guys

0:36

Now playing

• Source: CNN

clipped thumbnail - presidenttrump-lebanon-primeminister-war-intldesk - CNN ID 22465803 - 00:00:00;00

Lebanese prime minister says President Trump ‘more than anyone else’ can end war in Middle East

2:58

Now playing

• Source: CNN