Ecuador Approves Referendum to Amend Constitution and Combat Crime

On April 22, 2024, Ecuadorian citizens participated in a referendum proposed by President Daniel Noboa to amend the constitution and implement tougher security measures to combat rising gang-related crime and violence in the country. The referendum included 11 questions focused on expanding military and police powers, tightening gun control, and imposing harsher penalties for terrorism and drug trafficking.

According to exit polls, 60-73% of voters supported the security-focused measures, which include deploying the army to fight against criminal gangs, loosening extradition rules, and increasing prison sentences for drug traffickers. However, two proposals related to labor regulations were rejected by over 60% of voters.

Ecuador has seen a surge in violence in recent years, with its homicide rate reaching 40 deaths per 100,000 people, one of the highest in the region. The country has been confronting the rise of criminal gangs with links to transnational drug cartels, leading to shocking incidents such as the killings of two mayors and a prison warden.

President Noboa, the youngest president in Ecuador's history, has taken an uncompromising stance on crime, declaring war on over 20 criminal gangs, imposing a state of emergency, and authorizing a controversial raid on the Mexican embassy to capture a former vice president. The public vote is seen as a way for Noboa to demonstrate his tough stance on crime and gain political support as he prepares to run for re-election next year.

Why this matters: The referendum results will define the government's policies to address the challenges of organized crime and violence in Ecuador, which has seen a sharp rise in its murder rate in recent years. The approved measures give Noboa more legal tools to fight crime, but he will need to demonstrate tangible results to maintain public support.

Some of the constitutional changes can be implemented directly by Noboa, while other legal reforms will require approval from the National Assembly. Noboa celebrated the results, saying the country has "more tools to fight against the delinquent and restore peace to Ecuador's families." The referendum took place amid a crippling electricity shortage and diplomatic tensions with Mexico over the arrest of a former vice president.

Key Takeaways

• Ecuadorians voted in referendum to toughen security measures against gangs.
• 60-73% supported expanding military/police powers, tightening gun control, harsher penalties.
• Ecuador faces surge in violence, with homicide rate of 40 per 100,000.
• Referendum results give President Noboa more legal tools to fight crime.
• Referendum took place amid electricity shortage, diplomatic tensions with Mexico.