Ecuador's president seeks to hold referendum on security measures

According to Reuters, in Guayaquil, Colombia, Ecuadoran President Daniel Noboa has announced his intention to hold a referendum to implement stricter security measures in the country. The violence and crime rates in Ecuador have increased in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic.

In November, Noboa, a former legislator and the son of a prominent businessman, assumed office with promises to reduce violence and generate jobs through urgent legislative reforms.

In a televised address on Wednesday, Noboa revealed that he had submitted draft questions for the referendum in a letter to the Constitutional Court, which has 20 days to respond.

The referendum aims to seek approval from voters to increase prison sentences for serious crimes such as homicide and arms trafficking. Additionally, it is intended for Ecuador’s military to eliminate international criminal groups operating in the country, as outlined in Noboa’s letter to the court.

Ecuador has been grappling with escalating violence, including incidents in prisons where hundreds of individuals have been killed in recent years. Officials attribute this surge in violence to drug-trafficking gangs amid significant financial struggles and high migration figures.

Noboa stated, “This consultation has three clear objectives; one the intervention of the armed forces in the fight against crime; two … support from the justice system so that those convicted of organized crime serve longer sentences.”

The third objective, according to Noboa, is to boost the economy, referring to a proposed question seeking approval to open casinos and similar businesses in Ecuador.

Casinos were closed in Ecuador by former leftist President Rafael Correa, whom Noboa defeated to secure the presidency last year.

“It’s possible to combat crime, to have a justice system that responds with harsher and firmer penalties, and, above all, create new jobs for Ecuador – we must all contribute to move the country forward,” Noboa said.

(Reporting by Yury Garcia; Writing by Oliver Griffin; Editing by Sandra Maler)