Ecuador's government is celebrating “overwhelming” support for security proposals in a referendum over the weekend, but will need consensus in the legislature to implement some of the measures, a senior official said on Monday (22).
President Daniel Noboa won support for joint patrols between police and military, extradition of wanted criminals and longer sentences for terrorism and murder, among other measures, in Sunday's referendum (21).
The changes seek to combat an outbreak of violence that has made international headlines.
The government won victories in nine of the 11 questions put to the public in the referendum, according to the national electoral council, which counted around 65% of the ballots.
“The results were expected, overwhelming support for the government's two theses, which were the issue of security and the fight against corruption,” said government vice minister, Esteban Torres, on local radio.
“We make it clear to those who, for political reasons… oppose the will of Ecuadorians, that they have been told: 'legislators, work with the government on security reforms,'” Torres said. “Dialogue can be restarted and things can be done in a mature way, that is the expectation.”
To implement the nine approved measures, the government will need to make at least five changes to existing laws. Parliamentarians will have 60 days to approve the amendments.
Source: CNN Brasil
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