[News] Ecuador: President Lasso decreed a state of exception to combat violence

[Akrapovic]

The Government of Ecuador, overwhelmed by citizen insecurity and drug trafficking, declared a state of exception throughout the national territory and shielded the public force from taking action against crime.

 

 

"Starting immediately, our Armed Forces and police will feel strongly in the streets because we are decreeing a state of exception throughout the national territory," said the president in an address broadcast by the state channel EcuadorTV.

Between January and October of this year, the country registered almost 1,900 intentional homicides (eleven per 100,000 inhabitants), compared to about 1,400 in all of 2020, according to the government. "In the streets of Ecuador there is only one enemy: drug trafficking," said Lasso, who took office in May. The measure, declared for 60 days, was adopted due to "serious internal commotion," according to the decree.

A committee will also be formed with various ministries of the social and human rights area to take actions with a view to preventing and stopping addiction and reintegrating drug users into society.

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The right-wing ruler also decided on Monday to change his defense minister in the midst of a prison crisis that left a hundred inmates dead and a "stage of insecurity" in the country due to drug trafficking. He swore in retired General Luis Hernández to replace Fernando Donoso, former commander of the Navy.

Hitmen and homicides
The state of insecurity "is not only reflected in the amount of drugs consumed in our country but also in the amount of crimes that today is directly or indirectly related to the sale of narcotics," said Lasso, who this Tuesday will receive the head of US diplomacy, Antony Blinken, to discuss security and drug trafficking.

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Two weeks ago, members of criminal groups linked to cartels in Mexico and Colombia who are imprisoned and vying for power faced a bullet in a Guayaquil penitentiary, leaving 119 inmates dead in what constitutes one of the worst prison massacres in history. from Latin America. So far in 2021, 238 prisoners have died in several prison riots in Ecuador.

Lasso pointed out that more than 70% of the violent deaths that occur in the coastal province of Guayas (whose capital is Guayaquil) are in some way related to drug trafficking. "When drug trafficking grows, hit men and homicides also increase," in addition to other crimes such as robbery, said the president.

Pardons
According to Lasso, "in recent years Ecuador has gone from being a drug trafficking country to one that also consumes drugs." Its Minister of Government (Interior), Alexandra Vela, said two weeks ago that the South American country, located between Colombia and Peru, the world's largest producers of cocaine, went from being a transit point to a warehouse for drug trafficking.

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Drug seizures between January and October reached a record 147 tons versus 128 tons in 2020, according to official figures.

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Lasso noted that under the state of emergency police and military will patrol the streets 24 hours a day. "We will give law enforcement the necessary support to carry out their fight against crime," he said, noting that the Executive will create a legal defense unit to protect agents who are sued for "simply doing their duty." .

“Gentlemen, members of the forces of order, act with the courage that characterizes you. This government will pardon all those who have been unjustly condemned for having carried out their work, ”said the ruler.

 

LINK: https://www.elespectador.com/mundo/america/ecuador-presidente-lasso-decreto-estado-de-excepcion-para-combatir-la-violencia/