Ecuador’s Mano Dura Response to Violence: Tougher Anti-Crime Measures and Their Effect on Citizen Safety

In recent years, Ecuador has become one of the most violent countries in mainland Latin America. The homicide rate skyrocketed from under seven per 100,000 in 2019 to almost 45 per 100,000 by 2023. This surge in violence is attributed to the rise of organized crime, particularly focused on smuggling cocaine from Colombia to Europe through Ecuadorian ports. Other countries in the region are also facing similar issues with transnational criminal groups expanding their operations.

Governments in the region, including Ecuador’s, have responded with mano dura policies characterized by strict and heavy-handed measures to combat crime. These policies include declaring states of emergency, mass incarceration without discrimination, and deploying the military to maintain order on the streets. These tactics have been inspired by perceived success in El Salvador where President Nayib Bukele declared a state of emergency following a weekend where 87 people were killed by gangs. The government subsequently incarcerated nearly 80,000 individuals resulting in a significant drop in the homicide rate and an increase in popularity for President Bukele.

President Daniel Noboa of Ecuador followed this trend and proposed tougher anti-crime measures which were overwhelmingly supported by Ecuadorians through a referendum held on April 21st. These measures include overturning a constitutional ban on extradition of criminals, allowing the army to permanently patrol streets and prisons and eliminating early release for well-behaved inmates. With these new measures in place, Ecuador hopes to curb rising violence and restore safety and security for its citizens.