Ecuador's President Noboa Celebrates Landslide Victory in Anti-Crime Referendum

Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa celebrated a landslide victory in a referendum aimed at toughening the fight against crime and corruption on Sunday.

The referendum saw the passage of 9 out of 11 questions, which Noboa described as a resounding success and a win for his government. The measures approved include deploying the military to fight gangs, loosening extradition rules, and increasing prison sentences for drug traffickers and other violent criminals.

Over 13 million Ecuadorians voted in the referendum, overwhelmingly supporting Noboa's declaration of war on drug cartels earlier this year. The rise of cartel violence has turned Ecuador into a new Latin American crime hotspot, with unparalleled gang violence, prison massacres, and the killings of prosecutors, judges, and political candidates. Noboa has designated 22 criminal gangs as terrorist organizations and declared a state of emergency in response.

Why this matters: The referendum results provide Noboa with additional legal tools to address Ecuador's security crisis and could boost his political standing as he prepares to run for re-election next year. The vote also highlights the growing threat of drug-related violence in Latin America and the challenges governments face in combating powerful criminal organizations.

While the security measures were largely supported, voters rejected two questions focusing on economic matters. These included a proposal that would have allowed Ecuador to return to international arbitration systems over oil, mining, and other commercial disputes, seen as an attempt to court foreign investors. Critics argued this would undermine Ecuador's sovereignty and environment, benefiting multinational companies like Chevron, which has faced legal battles over environmental damage and human rights violations in the country.

Noboa praised the capture of notorious gang leader Fabricio Colón Pico but acknowledged that much more work remains to be done to restore peace. Experts warn against an "iron fist" approach similar to that of El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele, which has been criticized for human rights abuses. Instead, they recommend targeting the leaders of criminal organizations, their financing, and the intellectual authors of crimes, while collaborating with international intelligence for coordinated operations.

The referendum was largely peaceful, with some initial issues due to heavy rains. The quick count by the electoral council showed 60-73% backing for the security-focused measures. While the opposition had pushed for a total "no" vote, the margin of passage on the successful questions was impressive, making the referendum a defeat for them. As Noboa stated, "The Ecuadorian people have spoken loud and clear: they want to live without fear, with a future of well-being and progress for all."

Key Takeaways

• Ecuador's president won a referendum to toughen fight against crime and corruption.
• Measures approved include deploying military against gangs, loosening extradition, and longer sentences.
• Voters rejected proposals to allow Ecuador to return to international arbitration systems.
• Experts warn against an "iron fist" approach and recommend targeting criminal leaders and financing.
• The referendum was a defeat for the opposition, with 60-73% backing for security measures.