Millions of people in Ecuador headed to the polls on Sunday to overwhelmingly approve a series of far-reaching security measures proposed by President Daniel Novoa to combat the rampant crime and gang violence that has engulfed the country. .
The referendum was held during Ecuador’s ongoing state of emergency and through an “internal armed conflict.” declaration, to house more than 20 of the nation’s deadliest gangs. Ecuador’s uncontrolled violence has led to the assassination of several mayors and political candidates.
Sunday’s 11-question referendum asked Ecuador’s voters to approve or reject nine security-related and two economic policies proposed by the Novoa government. All nine security measures received overwhelming support, but two economic proposals were rejected. All suggestions were addressed question by question.
According to preliminary results, Ecuadorian National Electoral Council (CNE) published, At the time of writing, nine security proposals received approval votes ranging from 60.13 percent to 72.78 percent, with an average approval rate of 65 percent for each.
President Novoa congratulated the results of the referendum.
“We have protected our country. Now we have more tools to fight crime and restore peace to Ecuadorian families,” Noboa said. I have written A statement on social media was accompanied by a photo of himself, his wife and their two children.
Diana Atamarin, Head of CNE explained Sunday’s voting process was largely “orderly and peaceful,” with an estimated turnout of about 72 percent. The main exception to that explanation is assassination El Rodeo Prison Warden Damien Pallares said this Sunday while having lunch with his wife and family. Pallares was shot and killed five days after becoming El Rodeo’s new manager.
Approved security proposals include the introduction of amendments to Ecuador’s constitution to allow the country’s armed forces to support local police in the fight against organized crime, as well as to ensure that Ecuador’s Authorize the extradition of a person. The proposed amendment would also create a specialized judiciary for constitutional issues.
The proposal also includes firearms-related measures that would allow the armed forces to permanently control arms, ammunition and explosives on routes and roads leading to the country’s prisons. The reform criminalizes the possession of weapons that local law considers only military weapons, without affecting laws regarding weapons that civilians are allowed to own.
Additionally, the proposal calls for amending Ecuador’s criminal code to allow the Ecuadorian National Police and Armed Forces to immediately use firearms, ammunition, and explosives seized as instruments or material in a crime. Voters also gave the green light to tougher penalties for certain crimes, including terrorism, drug and human trafficking, organized crime, murder and money laundering.
Another proposed reform would allow the Ecuadorian state to take ownership of assets of illegal or illegitimate origin through amendments to local laws that would simplify such procedures.
Soldiers patrol outside the government palace during a state of emergency in Quito, Ecuador, on January 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)
The two economic proposals that were rejected were to require Ecuador to recognize international arbitration as a means of resolving investment, contract and commercial disputes, and to change local labor laws to allow workers to contract by the hour. was calling for reform. Both economic proposals were rejected by more than 65 percent of the vote.
Shortly after taking office in November, Novoa began enacting a series of security measures known as Plan Phoenix to curb rampant crime, gang violence and drug trafficking in Ecuador.
Ecuador’s president declared formal internal armed conflict in January in response to a dramatic wave of gang violence that has sparked kidnappings, prison riots and attacks on local television stations. hostage crisis. Before a wave of gang violence erupts,disappearanceWords by José Adolfo Macias from his prison cell in Guayaquil. Macias, commonly known as “Fito,” is Ecuador’s most wanted criminal. Los Choneros is one of the most dangerous gangs in Ecuador.
Novoa was elected in October 2023 to complete the remainder of his predecessor Guillermo Lasso’s presidential term, which was originally scheduled to end in May 2025. In May 2023, Mr. Lasso used a constitutional provision commonly known as “mutually assured death” to dissolve Congress. They are also calling for new elections after repeated impeachment attempts by domestic socialist lawmakers have made it impossible for Lasso to rule.
Novoa in February expressed He intends to run for re-election in 2025.
“I think we need more time because the work is not done yet. For that we need re-election. I think, first, the Constitution gives me and second, I think the people want to support it. I intend to serve the period,” Novoa said at the time.
Christian K. Caruso is a Venezuelan writer who chronicles life under socialism. You can follow him on Twitter here.
