Ecuador voters back tougher security to fight gang violence - BBC News

In a referendum, Ecuadoreans voted in favour of allowing the military to patrol the country's streets.

5 hours agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, A state of emergency was declared in the country back in JanuaryBy Ione WellsSouth America correspondent in QuitoEcuadoreans have voted in favour of allowing the military to patrol their streets as part of a referendum on bolstering security in the country.

The poll was called after Ecuador went from being relatively peaceful to having the highest recorded murder rate in Latin America.

Voters also backed longer prison terms and extraditing violent criminals.

But human rights groups have raised concerns that the measures could lead to abuses.

President Daniel Noboa called the referendum following a spate of high-profile murders, including the assassination of a presidential candidate last year and several mayors in recent months.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-68871756

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