Update: Ecuador's 2024 Security Referendum
Update: Ecuador's 2024 Security Referendum
Amid a surge in organized crime, President Daniel Noboa seeks to strengthen the armed forces and drug penalties in an April 21 vote.
When Daniel Noboa took over as Ecuador’s president in November 2023, it was no secret that the country’s security scenario had worsened. Once considered a Latin American safe haven, in recent years, Ecuador has seen organized crime groups become more active, leading to an explosion of violence throughout the country. Homicides skyrocketed from 13.7 murders per 100,000 people in 2021 to 45 in 2023.
Five months into Noboa’s term, and ahead of February 2025 general elections in which he plans to compete, the 36-year-old banana scion is escalating action. Already he’s declared an “internal armed conflict” against gangs, arrested tens of thousands of people accused of involvement with organized crime, and ordered the armed forces to the streets.
Now his government is holding an April 21 referendum on security. Noboa says the vote’s purpose is to have “more order in judicial functions, more backing for the armed forces and the police, and more order.”
Days ahead of the referendum, the president drew international criticism for his April 5 decision to raid the Mexican Embassy to capture a former Vice President Jorge Glas, who is accused of corruption and ties to criminal gangs. But at home, Noboa, aware of how unpopular Glas is in Ecuador, commands high levels of approval that could help usher through the security changes.
What’s in the referendum? Will it pass? AS/COA Online takes a look.
The 35-year-old son of a banana magnate, who will govern until April 2025, will have to face security challenges and a divided Congress.
AS/COA covers 2024's elections in the Americas, from presidential to municipal votes.