In less than 24 hours, Narco Escort by Andrés Salazar Silva shot to the top of Amazon’s charts in three categories: realistic fiction, fiction, and society. Released on December 17, 2024, it’s being celebrated as Ecuador’s first narco novel.

The gripping story follows Esmeralda, a woman from Ecuador’s coast, as she navigates a world ruled by corruption and organized crime. Salazar Silva, 44, spent five years crafting the 300-page novel, dedicating long hours during the pandemic to bring it to life.

Unexpected Success

To earn the bestseller badge on Amazon, a book must sell 3,500–5,000 copies in one day—a feat Narco Escort achieved effortlessly. A print version will be available in January 2025.

Salazar Silva was stunned by the response.

“I was nervous to check Amazon,” he said. “But when my assistant told me it hit number one in three categories, I couldn’t believe it.”

Why Write a Narco Novel?

Salazar Silva was inspired by the rise of insecurity during the pandemic.

“Mafias were growing nationally and internationally,” he explained. “I wanted to address these issues through fiction.”

Through Esmeralda’s journey, the novel not only explores drug trafficking but also delves into migration, human trafficking, and hope amidst chaos.

From Engineer to Author

An industrial engineer with a master’s in finance, Salazar Silva found refuge in writing during the pandemic, dedicating hours daily to complete his novel. Initially rejected by traditional publishers in Ecuador, he turned to Amazon, a decision that paid off.

What’s Next?

Narco Escort is the first in a planned trilogy, with the next books promising more action and depth. Salazar Silva is also working on a romantic novel, Sunset in Singapore, inspired by his time in Asia.

Source: Primicias.

On December 31, a dead body was found in the Tomebamba river in the Puertas del Sol neighborhood. The body is of a man who has been missing from December 28. A tragic incident most probably caused his death. The police are investigating the case. 

The municipality has recently warned that it can be dangerous to be too close to the borders of the river because the water level is high and the water is running fast. 

ANT: Agencia Nacional de Tránsito del Ecuador (National Traffic Agency of Ecuador). The ANT is responsible for road signals, driver's licenses, transportation permits, etc.

CTE: Comisión de Tránsito del Ecuador (Traffic Commission of Ecuador). The CTE is a national traffic police organization that is active in various provinces of Ecuador. The CTE started as the trafffic police of Guayaquil. Nowadays, it's not active in Guayaquil anymore but it still has its main premises in Guayaquil.

FGE: Fiscalía General del Estado is the public prosecutor's office. If you want to report a crime, you need to go to the FGE and not the police.

IESS: Instituto Ecuatoriano de Seguridad Social (Ecuadorian Social Security Institute). The IESS offers health care insurances and pension plans. All citizens and residents can become a member of IESS.

IVA: Impuesto al Valor Agregado. The VAT or national sales tax (usually 12% but to finance the crime against drug gangs and drug cartels temporarily15%).

MSP: Ministerio de Salud Pública (Ministry of Public Health). The Ministry of Public health runs its own public hospitals.

SRI: Servicio de Rentas Internas (Internal Revenue Service).