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Ecuador votes to let military patrol streets: Will it bring safety or more trouble?
FILE PHOTO: Leonidas Iza, leader of Ecuador's indigenous organization CONAIE, casts his vote in a constitutional referendum and local elections, in Latacunga, Ecuador on February 5, 2023. REUTERS/Karen Toro/File Photo
Ecuador, which has seen a sharp increase in violence, recently opted to authorise its military to monitor the streets. This decision follows a series of high-profile murders, including the assassination of a presidential candidate, which propelled the country to the top of Latin America’s murder rate rankings.
The facts
Ecuadorians recently voted in favour of giving the military the right to patrol their streets, in response to a surge in violence that has transformed the country from calm to the deadliest in Latin America.
In a stunning turn of events, President Daniel Noboa called for a referendum following a series of high-profile murders, including the death of a presidential candidate and numerous mayors.
The referendum, spearheaded by President Daniel Noboa, aims to solve Ecuador’s pervasive crime wave, but it has sparked a heated debate about whether militarisation is the solution or will generate new problems.
Ecuadorians sought action after over 8,000 violent deaths in 2023, including a surge of violence in January. President Noboa proclaimed a state of emergency, deploying the military to combat criminal groups and temporarily take control of prisons.
The arguments
The referendum results now enable for the long-term growth of military and police authorities. Proponents of the measures believe that greater security presence has already improved street safety. However, human rights organisations have expressed alarm about potential abuses.
Carmen Elena Simbaña, who lost her brother to gang violence, raises a concern. Despite her personal suffering, she is opposed to militarism and advocates for investments in youth programmes instead.
Her claim is supported by “El Gato,” a former drug dealer who blames his plunge into crime on financial difficulties and a lack of opportunity. Despite his drug history, he supports stricter security measures, indicating the role of widespread criminality in impeding rehabilitation attempts.
Other advocates of the policies reported repeated kidnappings, emphasising the urgent need for change.
Critics, such as Rosa Bolaños from human rights group INREDH, advocate for investing in education and social programmes to prevent potential abuses.
The referendum also addressed the legalisation of hourly labour contracts, which aimed to reduce teenage unemployment, but it failed due to concerns over worker rights.
As Ecuador moves forward, the issue remains: will strengthening the military provide the protection that Ecuadorians need, or will it lead to further problems and human rights violations?
