Quito (EFE).- The president of Ecuador, Daniel Noboa, affirmed after winning the ‘Yes’ in nine of the eleven questions of the referendum held on Sunday that the result was a “victory of the people” because “the country told him ‘ Yes’ to the future.”
In his first public speech since the plebiscite, Noboa showed his satisfaction with the broad support received for the issues that seek to strengthen the State’s fight against organized crime gangs.
With more than 95% of the votes counted, the victory of ‘Yes’ was consolidated in nine of the eleven questions related to security issues.
The ‘No’ vote took hold in the economic reforms related to legalizing hourly labor contracts and allowing international arbitration on investments in any jurisdiction.
Noboa trusts in the future of Ecuador
“After the country said yes to the future, we will not give in one step to violence, corruption and impunity,” Noboa stated during a speech.
“We have more tools to judge these crimes and toughen the penalties for their perpetrators,” added the president, in reference to the initiative to increase penalties for a series of crimes related to organized crime.
Among them terrorism and its financing.
The proposals raised on security obtained between 75% and 61% support.
Stronger security measures for Ecuador
In addition to toughening penalties, they also imply that the Armed Forces permanently participate alongside the Police in operations against organized crime. And that Ecuadorians can be extradited when required by the Justice of other countries.
They also supported the creation of a court system in constitutional matters, military surveillance around prisons and the equipping of state forces with weapons seized from crime.
In turn, the crime of possession of weapons for the exclusive use of the Police and Armed Forces and a mechanism for the expropriation of illicit assets will be created.
Noboa asserted that “they will not stop the new Ecuador.” “This victory belongs to the people and those who want a better future and for their children to live better than them,” he noted.
In Noboa’s statements, the president did not mention the two questions where ‘No’ won.
These points constitute, according to former president Rafael Correa (2007-2017), a “resounding defeat” for Noboa because in his opinion they were “the two questions that (really) mattered to him.”
