“We fulfill the campaign offer of call a popular consultation and build the new Ecuadora country where combat the violence, the impunity and employment is generated,” said the newly inaugurated president Noboa on a Noboa radio and television network.
How does the Ecuadorian government think about the referendum?
In itself, the popular consultation would consist of a series of eleven questions, which have already been sent to the Constitutional courtwhich must approve them.
Most of the query revolves around “to combat organized crime and criminal gangs”, who compete blood and fire routes for drug trafficking.
“We are tired that there is greater protection for criminals (…) therefore, this consultation demands the support of the justice system so that those convicted of organized crime have higher sentences and that they serve them,” Noboa added.
Between 2018 and 2022, murders quadrupled in the country. 2023 It was the most violent year with some 7,500 homicides and a rate of more than 40 murders For each 100,000 inhabitants.
The main axes that Noboa proposes for the referendum
The president, who will be in charge of the country until 2025proposes that the armed forces fight organized crime and “carry out permanent controls of weapons and explosives on the roads.
Besides, proposes increasing punishments for crimes such as terrorism, drug trafficking, organized crime, murder, kidnapping, among others, as well as eliminate prison benefits for those sentenced for those crimes.
It also seeks that the confiscated weapons are intended for use by the police. And that those in uniform are not arrested while they are tried for actions carried out in the exercise of their duties.
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Regarding the justice system, Noboa intends evaluate the servants of the judicial function.
Finally, the president proposes reform inadmissibility proceduresdeportation and expulsion of foreigners, and allowing casinos to operate again with a view to generating sources of employmentalthough this measure is criticized for possible “risks of facilitating money laundering.”
What other referendums did the government of Ecuador call?
A well-known example was the ban on casinos in 2011, after a popular consultation promoted by the former president Rafael Correa (2007-2017).
The former president Guillermo Lasso (2021-2023) He also called for a referendum which included the extradition of Ecuadorians linked to organized crime, but his initiative failure upon triumphing No in all questions.
Source: Ambito
