A year after Ecuadorians voted to end oil drilling in the Yasuní national park, the government has not yet ended its operations. A high court decision had given authorities a one-year period to stop oil exploration and comply with the results of the August 2023 referendum. A group of UN experts has called on the government to respect popular will, amid concern over reports that new drilling was taking place, and the impact that extraction activities have on Indigenous peoples’ lands and livelihoods, and the environment. Environmental activists who, along with Indigenous leaders and groups had pushed for the referendum to take place, have asked the Court to hold an urgent hearing on the matter. President Daniel Noboa’s administration has requested an extension from the high court to allow for a gradual shut-down over a five-year period, as the government relies on revenue from oil to address its pressing security situation. 

Sources: OHCHR, El Comercio, Voz de America, El Pais, International IDEA

Starting 1 June, the government ceased to have a provider of food services for Ecuador’s prison population. Reports of food insecurity faced by persons deprived of their liberty had already highlighted the sudden suspension of meals in some penitentiaries, which are currently under control of the military. However, conditions detiorated when the government and the private contractor providing food services terminated their working relationship. Families have organized donations of food, but they claim it is insufficient, as reports that some people are only given one meal a day have emerged. Prison officials claim that the service provider had links to organized crime and have stated they are hurriedly working on hiring a new provider, but in the meantime claim that all meals are guaranteed through donations from businesses. Families of imprisoned men have staged protests to demand a better treatment of their relatives, denouncing other reports of mistreatment.

Sources: Infobae, Ecuavisa, CNN

The government’s extension of a state of exception in five provinces due to an ‘armed conflict’ was declared unconstitutional by the Constitutional Court on 10 May. An insufficient justification of the existence of an internal armed conflict, lack of territorial demarcation and temporality were among the reasons given by the Court. On 22 May the government decreed a state of exception again in seven provinces, including the five covered by the ruling, but was struck down by the Court on 14 June.

Human rights advocates have criticized the term ‘internal armed conflict’ to characterize gang violence, saying that the legal requirements are not met (such as the degree of organization and intensity of hostilities). They have reported an increase in human rights violations, including in the penitentiary system. The allegations triggered an investigation by the country’s Ombudsperson that found at least 24 deaths of inmates between February and March, some of whom appeared to be victims of violent deaths and torture. Reports of the suspension of meals have furthered the concerns of family members and human rights defenders.

Sources: Prensa Latina, CNN, Vistazo (1), Vistazo (2), Telesur TV  

On 21 April, through a single ballot, citizens participated in both a binding referendum on constitutional amendments and a consultative plebiscite on other questions. Citizens voted ‘Yes’ to referendum questions related to amending the constitution to permit armed forces to support the national police (by 72 per cent), the extradition of Ecuadorean nationals subject to certain conditions (by around 65 per cent), and the establishment of judiciaries specialized in constitutional issues (by 60.5 per cent). Conversely, they rejected the use of international arbitration in investment disputes, as well as a proposal to reform the constitution and Labour Code to include hourly and fixed-term work contracts. 

Regarding the plebiscite questions, a majority of voters agreed to the armed forces carrying out checks in detention centres, increasing prison terms for certain crimes, among other security-related issues.  

These plebiscite questions will move on to the National Assembly for consideration. Despite mandatory voting, 28 per cent of eligible voters abstained. 

Sources: El Pais, The New York Times, CNN  

Ecuador’s national police carried out a raid on the Mexican embassy in Quito on 5 April, escalating an ongoing diplomatic dispute. Ecuador’s military and police agents breached the diplomatic mission to detain Jorge Glas, a former vice president who had taken refuge in the embassy since December, after being convicted of corruption-related crimes. Mexico ended diplomatic relations with Ecuador and, along with other countries, has protested a transgression of the inviolability of its diplomatic mission, in contravention of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. Ecuador argues that Mexico’s attempts to grant political asylum to a person convicted of ordinary and not political crimes was a breach of international law. Mexico has filed an application against Ecuador before the International Court of Justice, which heard arguments on its request for provisional measures in late April and early May.   

Sources: BBC, El Pais, France 24