Body armor speaks without words. Until 2021, they were for the exclusive use of some members of the public forces or private security guards. In late 2022 and early 2023, communication workers equipped with this garment began to be seen in Ecuador. Television images of journalists carrying the article had an impact at that moment.

After the assassination of the mayor of Manta, Agustín Intriago, on July 23, 2023, his wife, Rosita Saldarriaga, appeared at a vigil wearing a National Police bulletproof vest. Adding to the shock of the news of the crime was the moving image of the young widow.

Not even a month passed, and on August 9, they killed the presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio. At the press conference called by his wife, Verónica Sarauz, she appeared with a bulletproof vest.

Vice-presidential candidate Andrea González and Christian Zurita, who presents himself as Villavicencio’s replacement in the candidacy, appear in bulletproof vests at all public events.

In the suit presidential candidate Daniel Noboa wore during the debate on August 13, this item of clothing stood out, and yesterday in an interview with Radio City, also candidate for Carondelet Xavier Hervas, admitted that he wears a device under his pants that protects him from gunfire. shirt .

The message is clear. The fear of every Ecuadorian who goes out to work, study or have fun is reflected in the prevention of any attack. Not everyone has the economic ability to buy a bulletproof vest, nor should the use of this item of clothing be normalized.

Citizens have an absolute right to demand a security policy where Ecuador offers peace. The normalization of the use of bulletproof vests or confinement to avoid crime is not accepted.

We must not wait for the next president, the actions of the current government must be felt, together with the public and other functions of the state, with unions, with citizens; everyone is the problem, crime cannot and should not be normalized. (OR)