In Ecuador, transnational organized crime (TOC) is increasing its terrorist actions, to the extent that it poses a threat to the survival of the state. He established the death penalty in prisons and streets, where they eliminate, kill public security officials and even innocent people. He managed to infiltrate many state institutions, political organizations, private companies, etc. The Prosecutor’s Office announced Operation Metastasis, a name that sums up cancer in an advanced stage in our country.

What does it mean when a country enters an internal armed conflict?

In view of this situation, the President of the Republic of Ecuador, Daniel Noboa, by Executive Decree 110 (January 8, 2024), introduced a state of emergency for 60 days due to serious internal unrest caused by the terrorist actions of the COT. . It limited rights such as the inviolability of the home, freedom of assembly and free movement from 11:00 PM to 5:00 AM in the national territory; in prisons, the inviolability of correspondence and the possibility of conducting searches of vehicles circulating within one kilometer of the circle of the detention center.

Daniel Noboa declares an internal armed conflict at the national level and orders military forces to neutralize the groups

The internal turmoil escalated, so it had to be supplemented by Regulation 111 (September 1, 2024), which recognizes the existence of an internal armed conflict and foresees the mobilization and intervention of the FF. AA. and the National Police (PN) to guarantee sovereignty and territorial integrity against terrorists and belligerent non-state actors. Specifically, it identifies Los Choneros, Lobos, Águilas and eighteen other organizations. The list must be updated by the Council for Public and State Security. Most important: order FF. AA. carry out military operations to neutralize them. The National Defense Administration is responsible for the execution of the decree.

(…) State institutions must guarantee the freedom of military and police officers who have been accused.

The President has assumed the constitutional responsibility of using the monopoly of arms against Ecuadorian terrorists or other nationalities within the territory, for 60 days, the actions and consequences are difficult to predict. The support of the National Assembly, the judiciary and good citizens is necessary. Changes to the Constitution must be accelerated or a new one approved, through popular consultation; and modify laws and regulations that prevent the use of deadly force to deal with COT.

This is the situation in Ecuador after the declaration of armed conflict

The Phoenix plan for permanent national security must be revised, it is not temporary (60 days) like a state of emergency, it is said to have been born from the ashes of previous governments’ failures, it is named after the phoenix from Greek mythology.

The internal armed conflict will take place in part or all of the territory, between the FF. AA. and National Police, v. COT. The big difference is that state forces must respect the humanitarian rights of wounded terrorists, surrendering prisoners and civilians; COT does not respect any life. There will be innocent collateral victims and criminals posing as victims, so state institutions must guarantee the freedom of accused military and police officers. We are in an internal war! (OR)