Ecuador declares a state of exception in part of the country

The president of Ecuador, Daniel Noboa, declared on Wednesday (May 22, 2024) a new state of exception in 7 of the country’s 24 provinces and in part of another region. In a video published on X (formerly Twitter), he justified the action with the rise in crime in these places.

“On January 9th, when we declared war on terrorist groups, we were in widespread chaos”, he said, referring to the moment in which he decreed a state of exception throughout the country and, shortly afterwards, the state of internal armed conflict. “In 5 months, we managed to restore peace to Ecuadorians”, he added. “Today, we find ourselves in a 2nd stage of the war”, he added.

According to Noboa, the criminal factions, faced with the government’s offensive, took refuge in 7 provinces: Los Ríos, Guayas, Santa Elena, Manabi, El Oro, Sucumbios and Orellana. Still, in part of the province of Azuay.

“Let’s not lose what we gained”, stated the Ecuadorian president. “Therefore, we present a state of exception focused on the provinces that most need the Armed Forces and the National Police to have freedom of action”, these.

The measure will be in force for 60 days. During this period, Security Forces will be able to enter homes and intercept correspondence without prior authorization.

Watch Noboa’s video:

Today begins PHASE 2 of our fight against terrorism in national territory. pic.twitter.com/XD2oJaJwLV

— Daniel Noboa Azin (@DanielNoboaOk) May 22, 2024

Noboa took office in November last year, for a “buffer term” of 1 and a half years. The election that elected him should have been held in 2025, but was brought forward after the then president of Ecuador, Guillermo Lasso, used the constitutional clause known as “cross death” to dissolve the National Assembly in May, after going through a process of impeachment. Lasso did not contest the elections.

His political platform has as its main focus the reform of Ecuador’s prison and judicial system. He advocates training police officers in peaceful conflict resolution techniques and developing rehabilitation programs for prisoners to reduce recidivism rates.