elpais.com
Ecuador's Militarization: Soaring Violence and Impunity
In Ecuador, President Daniel Noboa's military deployment since January 2024 has resulted in at least 31 forced disappearances attributed to the Armed Forces, a surge in violence culminating in 3,087 homicides in the first quarter of 2025, and the passage of legislation that shields military personnel from prosecution, hindering justice for victims' families.
- What is the direct impact of President Noboa's military deployment on human rights and security in Ecuador?
- In Ecuador, since President Daniel Noboa deployed the military for citizen security in January 2024, 31 forced disappearances directly attributable to the Armed Forces have been recorded by the Fiscalía, double the number in the previous three years. This has coincided with a surge in violence, reaching record levels in 2025 with 3,087 intentional homicides in the first quarter alone.
- What are the long-term implications of the militarization of security in Ecuador, considering the current trends and legal frameworks?
- The approval of Ecuador's "Ley de Solidaridad" in June 2025 shields military personnel from prison for serious crimes committed during the internal conflict, exacerbating impunity. This, combined with the military's refusal to provide information on disappearances and the government's inaction, creates a climate of fear and severely undermines justice for victims and their families. The ongoing state of exception further solidifies military control and perpetuates the cycle of violence.
- How has the "Ley de Solidaridad" affected the pursuit of justice for victims of forced disappearances and other human rights violations?
- The deployment of the military under President Noboa, justified by a declared "internal armed conflict," has led to a significant increase in human rights violations. This includes 19 documented extrajudicial executions and 393 complaints of exceeding authority, many resulting in deaths, according to the Alianza de Organizaciones por los Derechos Humanos del Ecuador. The government's response has been insufficient, with military officials offering only protocol responses during a recent CIDH hearing.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article frames the narrative strongly from the perspective of the victims' families, emphasizing their suffering and the government's failures. While this is understandable given the subject matter, it might benefit from a more balanced presentation of the government's perspective, even if that perspective is largely discredited by the evidence presented. The repeated use of strong emotional language ('quebradas', 'terror', etc.) further amplifies the negative framing.
Language Bias
The article uses emotive language such as "quebradas" (broken), "terror," and "devastador" (devastating) which contributes to a negative and biased tone. While emotionally resonant, the use of such loaded language potentially skews the reader's perception. More neutral terms could be employed to maintain objectivity.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the disappearances and human rights abuses, but it omits potential contributing factors to the initial increase in violence and the government's rationale for the state of exception. It would benefit from including perspectives from the government beyond the brief, dismissive statements provided. The article also does not explore potential successes or positive impacts of the military operations, if any exist.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a stark dichotomy between the government's claims of acting within the law and the reality of widespread human rights abuses. It implicitly frames the situation as a simple choice between military intervention and unchecked violence, neglecting the complexities of the situation and the potential for alternative security strategies.
Gender Bias
While the article highlights the suffering of both male and female family members, there is no explicit mention of gendered impacts of the violence or differential treatment based on gender. A more in-depth analysis of this aspect would strengthen the piece.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article details a significant increase in forced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and human rights violations attributed to the military in Ecuador following the government's increased reliance on military intervention in addressing citizen security. This directly undermines the rule of law, justice, and accountable institutions, key components of SDG 16. The systematic cover-up and lack of accountability further exacerbate the issue.