According to a Reuters report, Ecuador’s highest court has rejected nine questions proposed by President Daniel Noboa for a referendum on security issues, stating that they did not meet constitutional requirements. This decision was announced on Friday.
President Noboa had declared a state of emergency in early January, implementing a nighttime curfew for 60 days due to escalating violence in the Andean country. He also designated 22 criminal bands as terrorist groups and launched a military offensive against them.
While six other questions for the referendum were approved, the Constitutional Court stated that four more – including those regarding the extradition of Ecuadoreans and the recognition of international arbitration – will be reexamined.
Noboa had expressed his intention to hold the referendum in March.
In its ruling, the Constitutional Court justified the rejection of the nine questions, citing reasons such as their failure to change current regulations, lack of precision, or addressing multiple topics in a single question.
Among the questions denied by the court were those regarding the authorization for security forces to preempt organized crime operations, as well as changes to sanctions and pardons related to the use of force.
President Noboa’s press office did not immediately provide a response to requests for comment on the court’s decision.
Ecuador has been grappling with increasing violence, particularly in its prisons where hundreds of inmates have been killed in recent years. Officials attribute this to gangs involved in drug trafficking.
(Reporting by Alexandra Valencia; Writing by Oliver Griffin; Editing by Bill Berkrot)
