Ecuador accepts anti-gang and extradition policies

In a referendum on actions against drug trafficking and gangs, a clear majority of Ecuadorians voted on Sunday in favor of the extradition of organized crime executives to the United States, according to the electoral council.

A fast count of the results showed that, in support of extradition, 65 percent of valid votes were cast in favor of the “yes” vote, and 25 percent were cast in favor of the “no” vote, the electoral council said at a press conference.

Of the 17.7 million people living in the nation, about 13.6 million may vote “Yes” or “No” on 11 referendum topics.

President Daniel Noboa praised the outcome for its contribution to the war against crime.

Following the publication of an exit poll, Noboa said earlier, “We have defended the country, now we will have more tools to fight crime and restore peace to Ecuadoran families.”

Ecuador, a once-peaceful country, has been dealing with an alarming increase in violence that has murdered two mayors this week and flared up owing to an increase in drug trafficking.

Ecuador would become the third country after Mexico and Colombia to permit extradition, since these two countries have sent several alleged criminal leaders to face prosecution in the United States.

A jail warden was shot and killed by attackers on election day, causing more tragedy.

Chief of the El Rodero jail in Manabi state’s coastal region, Damian Parrales, “was victim of an attack that unfortunately cost him his life,” according to a statement released by the national prison administration.

The jails in Ecuador have become into deadly battlefields that have claimed the lives of over 460 prisoners in only three years, as well as nerve centers for organized criminal gangs.

Five days after taking up his jail duties, Parrales was shot and killed in the town of Jipijapa while having lunch with his family, according to local media.

A significant drug boss who is still at large was jailbroken in January, prompting Noboa to proclaim a state of “internal armed conflict,” accusing around twenty criminal factions of being responsible for the outburst of violence.

A days-long spree of violence that resulted in almost 20 murders saw gangsters abduct scores of individuals, including police and prison guards, and open fire in a TV studio during a live broadcast.

Soldiers have been sent in to fight gangs, but bloodshed has continued. The number of mayors slain in the last week is two, bringing the total to five in a year and three in less than a month.

At least twelve politicians have been killed in Ecuador since January of last year. Among them was Fernando Villavicencio, a contender for president, who was shot and killed in August during a campaign event.

Noboa sought public support in Sunday’s vote for his proposals to crack down even further on individuals who commit such crimes.

The extension of military and police authority, a major increase in gun control measures, and more severe punishments for drug trafficking and “terrorism” were put to the voters for approval.

Additionally, Noboa wants to amend the constitution to allow for the extradition of Ecuadorians who are sought abroad for crimes connected to organized crime.

Being uneasy

According to government figures, the country’s murder rate increased to a record 43 per 100,000 people last year, from only six in 2018.

The Guayas province of Ecuador seemed more safe to its citizens in 2023 than any other place in the globe, barring active conflict zones, according to a report released on Friday by the polling company Gallup.

The week before the voting, major hydroelectric reservoirs in Ecuador were almost empty due to drought, and residents had to endure power outages lasting up to thirteen hours.

In an effort to save the limited energy resources, the government mandated that workers remain at home for two days.

Noboa has attributed some of the fault to “sabotage” without mentioning specific individuals.