At least four explosives detonated in different parts of Ecuador in October. These included car bombs and other explosive devices in Guayaquil and surrounding areas, as well as in the province of Guayas. Authorities have attributed the attacks to criminal groups, including the Los Lobos gang, apparently in response to security force operations against illegal mining, though investigations are still ongoing. At least 27 people were killed, and dozens more were injured in attacks that signal the increasing use of terrorist tactics by organized crime groups in Ecuador. Although the use of explosives by organized crime groups in Ecuador is not new, it indicates an intensification of the use of indiscriminate violence in response to security operations.

Sources: Teleamazonas, Infobae, Teleprensa, El Pais

On 8 October, a convoy in which President Daniel Noboa was travelling was attacked amid a national strike against recent economic measures. The strike, which had been convened by social and Indigenous organizations since September, aimed to pressure the government into backtracking the elimination of diesel subsidies. The strike had included blockades to some highways and roads. In this context, Noboa’s convoy was to deliver ‘humanitarian aid’ to some of the regions impacted by the blockades. Government officials allege that, in addition to being attacked by rocks and Molotov cocktails, the president’s vehicle was also struck by bullets. The government has characterized these actions as acts of terrorism, and criminal investigations are underway with at least five people arrested. Later in the month, President Noboa claimed he had been given food products laced with dangerous chemicals in an attempt to poison him.

Sources: The Guardian, DW, Swissinfo, CNN

On 12 August, President Daniel Noboa led a demonstration against the Constitutional Court to protest its decisions regarding recently enacted legislation that the executive has characterized as essential to its strategy against organized crime. On 4 August the Court suspended provisions of laws (including the ‘Solidarity bill’ and the Intelligence Law) that were challenged after their enactment, pending a decision on their compatibility with the Constitution. Among other aspects, such provisions allowed for presidential pardons of members of the security forces and enabled intelligence gathering activities without a judicial order. In this context, high-ranking governmental officials have characterized the Court as an ‘enemy of the citizenry’. Noboa also announced that he would be seeking to introduce a referendum on the possibility of impeaching Court justices. National and international experts have expressed serious concern for the executive’s statements, which undermine judicial independence.

Sources: AP, Infobae, El Comercio, OHCHR, International IDEA, 

On 10 June, the Organic Law of National Solidarity entered into force. The law seeks to put in place legal and fiscal measures to strengthen security forces, curb the financing of organized crime and improve citizen safety. The law allows the president to pardon members of the security forces prosecuted for acts committed during an 'armed conflict,' and exempts them from measures like pre-trial detention, enabling them to continue serving while under investigation—raising concerns about impunity and lack of oversight for potential abuses. Further, it grants the president the ability to declare the existence of an internal armed conflict, and defines ‘armed groups’ and ‘military objectives’ loosely. According to humanitarian law and rights experts, these broad definitions are contrary to international standards, and imperil civilians and civilian space, lowering the threshold of when a target becomes a legitimate military objective. The law has been challenged before the Constitutional Court.  

Sources: National Assembly, El Comercio, Human Rights Watch (1), Human Rights Watch (2)  

New legislation establishing a national intelligence system was passed by the National Assembly and entered into force in June, with civil society sounding the alarms about potential threats to civil liberties. The law creates a Strategic Intelligence Center and intelligence subsystems in areas such as the police, military, finance, customs and the penitentiary system, which will coordinate for national security purposes. Rights experts have expressed concerns over several provisions that will enable intelligence officials to gather sensitive information, such as mobile phone data, real-time and past information on mobile location and connections without a judicial order or other oversight and control mechanisms. The potential chilling effect of this legislation has also been raised by press freedom advocates, who fear officials could surveil private communications of journalists working on high-profile investigations involving government officials.

Sources: Primicias, Sociedad Interamericana de Prensa, El Comercio, CNN

New legislation called the Organic Law to Improve the Economy of Ecuador’s Women Entrepreneurs entered into force after its publication on 10 March. The executive-initiated bill had passed in the National Assembly the previous month. Its object is to improve women’s economic empowerment through measures such as preferential access to credit, tax exemptions, simplified administrative procedures, and mentorship and collaborative financing programs and networks. Women who enrol in the National Entrepreneurship Registry will also be able to access free legal and economic advice, scholarships and training programs on subjects such as technology and business management. 

Sources: Asamblea Nacional, Naranjo Martinez & Subia, El Comercio, Prensa Latina, Primicias

The Inter-American Court of Human Rights found Ecuador responsible for rights violations against the Tagaeri and Taromenane Peoples, who are Indigenous communities living in voluntary isolation. Since 1999, Ecuadorian law established an ‘Intangible Tagaeri and Taromenane Zone’ (ITTZ), in which extractive activities are prohibited. Omissions in implementation contributed to delays and inaccuracies in its demarcation and the proliferation of oil drilling sites in prohibited areas, including in the Yasuní national park. The Court also found (and Ecuador partially admitted) the state’s responsibility for its failure to prevent acts of violence against the Tagaeri and Taromenane peoples and the abduction of two young girls. The Ecuadorian state was ordered to establish a commission to evaluate ITTZ implementation and take administrative and legislative measures to fully comply with the 2023 referendum in which people voted to end oil drilling in the Yasuní. The government will have to inform the Court on the actions taken within one year.

Sources: Inter-American Court of Human Rights, El Comercio, EFE, CNN, Primicias, International IDEA (1), International IDEA (2)