Ecuador

Municipal elections and a referendum held on 5 February delivered important wins for the opposition, and unfavourable results for President Guillermo Lasso’s government. Candidates from former president Rafael Correa’s left leaning party (Revolución Ciudadana) were elected as mayors in Ecuador’s two main cities, Quito and Guayaquil. Pursuant to adopted reforms that seek to achieve gender parity by 2025, 46.9 per cent of candidacies for this election were held by women. In Guayaquil, right-wing mayors had governed for 31 years. Analysts consider the left’s gains in the countries as indicative of the diminished popularity of Lasso’s government. They have also characterized the results of the referendum that took place on the same date as a blow to Lasso’s efforts to gain backing for his security policy and the war on drugs.  The referendum included questions on the possibility of extraditing Ecuadorian nationals for transnational organized crime, reducing the number of the legislature’s members among other varied reforms. All possible reforms in the government-backed referendum were rejected by voters.  Participation reached 80.74 per cent (voting is mandatory for most citizens). The elections stood out for the uncharacteristic level of violence; five candidates were killed and at least 12 were targeted by violent attacks.

Referendum War on drugs Guillermo Lasso Elections

Violence in prisons has left 29 persons deprived of their liberty dead and dozens injured, in only three days. The UN’s Subcommittee for the Prevention of Torture has expressed concern over what it deems is a crisis in the penitentiary system, where self-government has fostered an environment prone to multiple human rights violations.  Since 2021, seven mass killings in different prisons have taken place in Ecuador. While the government argues that violence between gangs in prison has been a main contributing factor to this, lack of effective government policy to address this issue has been widely criticized.   A state of emergency decreed in August has been extended in several regions until October. On 1 November, a curfew was established in the Guayas and Esmeralda regions, in response to a new wave of violence linked to the transfer of prisoners.

State of Emergency Personal Integrity and Security Gang Violence

Women’s protests against gender-based violence took place in the aftermath of the femicide of lawyer Maria Belen Bernal, whose police officer husband is currently the main suspect. So far in 2022, 206 women have been victims of femicide in Ecuador.  In the aftermath of such femicide, and because it is believed that the alleged perpetrator fled justice due to negligence  within the police, the Interior Minister was replaced and high-ranking members of the police have been asked to resign.

Guillermo Lasso Gender-Based Violence Femicide

From 14 August President Guillermo Lasso declared a State of Emergency in Guayaquil, due to a wave of violence attributed to organized crime. That day, an explosion killed five people, injuring at least 17 more. The government has condemned this action as a ‘declaration of war’ by gangs and organized crime that have intensified violent activities. Temporary suspension of rights through the State of Emergency would enable authorities to carry out searches and disperse reunions.

State of Emergency Personal Integrity and Security Guillermo Lasso Gang Violence