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Ecuador's role in the cocaine trade has historically differed from its drug-trafficking neighbors. This Andean country traditionally serves as a transshipment hub for illegal narcotics, precursor chemicals, and a place to launder money. Over the past several years, however, Ecuador appears to have become a rising actor in the cocaine trade. Seizures are increasing and so is the presence of transnational criminal organizations. Why is Ecuador now experiencing an increase in cocaine seizures? What factors explain this emergence? What is attracting transnational criminal organizations, such as the Mexican cartels, the Russian Mafia, and the Chinese Triads, to Ecuador? Furthermore, how has Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa's administration, its policies, and its relationship with the United States contributed to this new dynamic? This study argues that the increased flow of cocaine through the country is what is driving the increase in seizures. This increase is further attributed to the ease of operating in Ecuador, making it a low-threat option for cocaine traffickers. CHAPTER I - ECUADOR: A LOW-THREAT OPTION FOR COCAINE TRAFFICKING * A. INTRODUCTION * B. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE RESEARCH QUESTIONS * C. LITERATURE REVIEW * 1. Ecuador's Role in the Drug Trade * a. History of Cocaine in the Andes * b. Evolution of Narcotics Prohibition: The Andean Target * 2. Ecuador's Domestic Politics and Rafael Correa * D. U.S.-ECUADORIAN RELATIONS * E. POTENTIAL EXPLANATIONS AND HYPOTHESES * F. RESEARCH DESIGN * G. THESIS OVERVIEW * CHAPTER II - ECUADOR'S ROLE IN THE COCAINE SUPPLY CHAIN * A. INTRODUCTION * B. CURRENT TRENDS: COCAINE AND TRANSNATIONAL CRIMINAL ORGANIZATIONS * C. SHIFT FROM COLOMBIA TO MEXICO * D. THE SHIFT FROM MEXICO, SOUTH TO CENTRAL AMERICA AND THE ANDES * E. ECUADOR IN THE SUPPLY CHAIN: INTERNAL ROUTES * F. MARITIME TRAFFICKING * G. PRECURSOR CHEMICALS * CHAPTER III - ECUADOR'S DOMESTIC POLITICS AND RELATIONS WITH THE UNITED STATES * A. INTRODUCTION * B. A HISTORY O