The rise of the crime of extortion in the canton of San Miguel, Bolívar: an analysis of its criminal evolution.

Abstract

The study analyzed the causes of the increase in the crime of extortion in San Miguel canton, Bolivar province, Ecuador, between January and May 2023. Using a qualitative-quantitative approach with a dogmatic-legal design, data were collected from 14 participants, including business owners, a prosecutor, judges and a victim. Extortion, regulated in article 185 of the COIP, was identified as a serious crime driven by organized crime, operated from penitentiary centers, generating fear and distrust in the judicial system. This deters victims from reporting cases. The study highlights the urgency of strengthening citizen security and trust in judicial institutions to combat this problem and protect people's integrity and patrimony.