Ecuador's Fight Against Crime Strengthened by Early Referendum Outcome and Capture of Gang Leader
Ecuador's government gains momentum in securing backing for crucial security measures as law enforcement successfully apprehends a prominent gang figure.
Early results from Ecuador's referendum indicate that President Daniel Noboa has gained public support for security measures aimed at strengthening his efforts to combat crime. His administration appears to be on course to secure approval for nine out of the 11 proposals presented in the Sunday vote, including four crucial security measures, based on information from the National Electoral Council (CNE).
Noboa received more good news on Monday when police revealed they had apprehended a well-known alleged gang leader.
Initial findings from the referendum indicate that 72% of the public support the idea of the military working alongside the police to tackle organized crime, a measure currently only permitted during a state of emergency. Additionally, 65% of the population is in favor of allowing the extradition of Ecuadorians under specific circumstances such as ensuring humane treatment and prohibiting the use of the death penalty.
Both of these proposals would need changes to Ecuador's Constitution, which currently does not allow Ecuadorians to be extradited under any circumstances. If the final voting results continue to show public support for these measures, they will become effective once they are published in the official registry. The exact timing of this publication is still uncertain.
Two additional proposals related to security – increasing prison sentences for certain violent crimes and having a permanent armed forces presence in prisons to prevent weapons smuggling – are also likely to receive broad approval. Unlike the first two proposals, these do not require Constitutional changes and will need approval from the National Assembly before being implemented.
It seems that the public may not support the idea of allowing workers to be hired on an hourly basis and recognizing international arbitrage for resolving investment disputes.
from the Presidency of Mexico
Related article
Ecuador's recent raid on Mexico's embassy in Latin America was a surprising move. However, it may end up being beneficial for Daniel Noboa, the country's youngest president who took office promising to tackle the escalating crime rates fueled by drug cartel violence.
Since taking office, he has pursued a strong agenda by declaring "war" on over 20 criminal gangs he labels as "terrorists." He also implemented a 90-day state of emergency and approved a controversial raid on the Mexican embassy in Quito to apprehend a fugitive Ecuadorian ex-vice president accused of corruption.
The declining security situation in Ecuador prompted Noboa's predecessor, Guillermo Lasso, to call for a snap election last year in response to the increasing dissatisfaction among Ecuadorians.
On Sunday, during the referendum where around 13 million Ecuadorians were voting, it was reported that the director of the Manabi region prison was killed in an attack.
Additionally, there was news of a gang leader being arrested.
Police announced on X that they had arrested Fabricio Colon Pico, a notorious alleged gang leader, on Monday morning. This arrest is a significant win for Noboa.
The national police's specialized units have been conducting operations and investigative work for several months leading up to this arrest.
Colon Pico, the supposed leader of the Los Lobos gang, managed to break free from a prison in the central city of Riobamba in January, according to the city's mayor. Just days before that, he had been apprehended after Attorney General Diana Salazar publicly accused him of involvement in a plot to harm her.
Ecuador’s penitentiary service informed CNN that out of the thirty-eight inmates who escaped with Colon Pico, twelve have been caught.
Colon Pico broke out of jail at the same time as another infamous gang leader, José Adolfo Macías, also known as “Fito,” from the rival gang Los Choneros. This led to a massive search effort involving over 3,000 police and military personnel to locate him.
Editor's P/S:
The early results of Ecuador's referendum suggest a strong public mandate for President Daniel Noboa's proposed security measures. With a majority of voters supporting increased military involvement in crime fighting, extradition of Ecuadorians under certain conditions, and harsher punishments for violent crimes, the government has a clear mandate to implement these policies. The arrest of a prominent gang leader further bolsters the government's position and demonstrates its commitment to addressing the country's security challenges.
However, it is important to consider the broader context in which these measures are being implemented. Ecuador has been plagued by drug cartel violence and escalating crime rates, leading to public dissatisfaction and calls for action. While the proposed measures aim to strengthen the government's response, their effectiveness will ultimately depend on the ability to address the root causes of crime, such as poverty, inequality, and corruption. It is crucial for the government to adopt a holistic approach that includes social and economic development alongside law enforcement initiatives to ensure sustainable security and stability.
