Daniel Noboa’s Bill to Dismantle Criminal Economies
EcuadorS President Noboa Seeks Economic Measures to Combat Organized Crime
Table of Contents
- EcuadorS President Noboa Seeks Economic Measures to Combat Organized Crime
- Ecuador’s Intensified Fight Against Organized Crime: A Q&A
- What is President Noboa doing to combat organized crime in Ecuador?
- What are the key objectives of the proposed economic bill?
- What specific measures does the bill propose?
- What are the Penal Code reforms?
- why is President Noboa taking these actions now?
- What kind of threat does Ecuador face?
- Who is leading the National Assembly, and what’s their stance?
- What is the timeline for the bill’s consideration?
- What is the current situation with crime rates in Ecuador?
- Summary of Key Measures in Noboa’s Bill
QUITO, Ecuador – Ecuadorean President Daniel Noboa submitted an urgent economic bill to the National Assembly on Saturday aimed at dismantling criminal economies linked to the nation’s internal armed conflict.
Noboa, who declared an internal armed conflict earlier this year to combat organized crime, sent the bill to the newly formed assembly, which is led by Niels Olsen, the former tourism minister. Olsen’s National Democratic Action Party (DNA) holds leadership positions in most legislative commissions.
Assembly to Prioritize Security Bill
Olsen confirmed receipt of the bill via social media, stating, “We received the bill to dismantle the criminal economy linked to the internal armed conflict, sent by the Executive with an urgent character in economic matters.”
He added, “We certainly know how crucial it is indeed for the country to advance in security and firmly face criminal groups. We are going to deal with this project with all the responsibility and urgency that the moment demands.”
Bill Aims to Protect Economy, Citizens
According to a government statement, the bill establishes “financial, tax and security measures aimed at the disarticulation of criminal economies linked to internal armed conflict, and also to protect citizens, the sustainability of the economic and financial system of Ecuador and economic reactivation in affected areas.”
Specifically, the proposal seeks to authorize the use of government forces, classify criminals as combatants, and allow the president to pardon police or armed forces members prosecuted for actions related to the conflict.
The bill also proposes measures to protect the formal economy thru formalization incentives, fiscal sustainability in critical areas, and recovery of tax revenues affected by criminal economies.
Proposed Penal Code Reforms
The regulations include reforms to the Criminal Code, classifying membership in an organized armed group as a crime punishable by up to 26 years in prison. Leaders or financiers of these organizations could face sentences of up to 30 years.
The bill also seeks to impose “preventive prison” as a general rule for detainees in crimes against assets and persons protected by international humanitarian law during the internal armed conflict.
Additionally, the proposal details reforms to the Tax Regime Law and other regulations related to safety and money laundering.
Ecuador Faces ‘Unprecedented Threat’
“Ecuador today faces an unprecedented threat,” the document states, citing an internal armed conflict and the need to protect citizens from organized criminal groups involved in transnational illegal activities. The government asserts that these groups have complex economic networks that allow them to finance their operations, corrupt institutions, expand their territorial influence, and perpetuate a cycle of violence.
Noboa’s declaration of an “internal armed conflict” in 2024 aimed to combat local organized crime bands, which he labeled as “terrorists.” These groups are considered a primary cause of the surge in violence that made Ecuador a Latin American leader in homicide rates in 2023.
While the homicide rate decreased last year, violence has resurged in 2025, with an average of one murder per hour, marking the beginning of what could be Ecuador’s most violent year on record.
Government Minister José de la Gasca said Thursday that this bill is among several that Noboa plans to send to the Legislative Assembly in the coming days. Due to it’s urgent economic designation, the assembly has 30 days to address the proposal.
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Ecuador’s Intensified Fight Against Organized Crime: A Q&A
This article explores the recent efforts by Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa to combat organized crime. We’ll delve into the specific measures proposed and the context surrounding these actions.
What is President Noboa doing to combat organized crime in Ecuador?
Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa has submitted an urgent economic bill to the National Assembly to address organized crime.This bill focuses on dismantling the financial structures of criminal organizations and is directly linked to the internal armed conflict declared by Noboa earlier this year.
What are the key objectives of the proposed economic bill?
The primary goals, according to a government statement, are multifaceted:
Dismantling criminal economies: The bill aims to cut off the financial lifelines of organized crime.
Protecting citizens: Ensuring the safety and security of the Ecuadorean population is a key priority.
Ensuring economic stability: The bill hopes to protect the financial system and encourage economic reactivation, especially in areas impacted by criminal activity.
What specific measures does the bill propose?
The bill proposes several key actions:
Authorizing government force: Allowing the use of government forces to combat criminal groups.
Classifying criminals as combatants: Making it easier to prosecute and punish members of organized crime.
Presidential pardons: granting the president the power to pardon police and armed forces members for actions related to the conflict.
Economic protections: Implementing measures to protect the formal economy through incentives and fiscal sustainability.
Penal Code Reforms:
Classifying membership in an organized armed group as a crime, punishable by up to 26 years in prison.
Imposing sentences of up to 30 years for leaders or financiers of such groups.
Mandating “preventive prison” for those detained in crimes against assets and persons protected by international humanitarian law.
What are the Penal Code reforms?
The bill includes significant adjustments to the Penal Code:
Membership as a crime: Being part of an organized armed group will become a crime, perhaps leading to imprisonment of up to 26 years.
Enhanced penalties for leaders: Leaders and financiers of these gangs could face sentences of up to 30 years.
Preventive prison: The general rule will be “preventive prison” for individuals detained for crimes against assets and persons protected by international humanitarian law.
why is President Noboa taking these actions now?
President Noboa declared an “internal armed conflict” earlier this year in response to a surge in violence linked to organized crime. This declaration allows the government to take more aggressive measures. violence has surged again in 2025, with an average of one murder per hour, marking the beginning of what could be Ecuador’s most violent year on record.
What kind of threat does Ecuador face?
The government has declared that Ecuador is facing “an unprecedented threat.” This is a result of an internal armed conflict with organized criminal groups,who engage in transnational illegal activities. These groups have complex economic networks, allowing them to fund their operations, corrupt institutions, and expand their influence, thereby perpetuating a cycle of violence.
Who is leading the National Assembly, and what’s their stance?
the National Assembly is led by Niels Olsen, the former tourism minister. Olsen’s National Democratic Action Party (DNA) holds leadership positions in most legislative commissions. He has confirmed receipt of the bill and stated that the Assembly recognizes the urgency of addressing the criminal economy. He has mentioned the Assembly will deal with the project with all the responsibility and urgency.
What is the timeline for the bill’s consideration?
Due to the bill’s urgent economic designation, the Legislative Assembly has 30 days to review and address the proposal.
What is the current situation with crime rates in Ecuador?
Homicide rates in Ecuador surged in 2023, making it a leader in Latin America for this type of violence. While there was a decrease last year, violence has resurfaced in 2025, indicating a worsening of the overall security situation.
Summary of Key Measures in Noboa’s Bill
Here’s a swift overview of the primary components of the proposed bill:
| Measure | Description |
| :—————————– | :——————————————————————————————————————————————— |
| Government Force Authorization | Permits the use of government forces to combat organized crime. |
| Criminals as Combatants | Allows for quicker and more direct prosecution of criminals. |
| Presidential Pardons | President can pardon involved members of government forces. |
| Formal Economy Protection | Fiscal and tax measure incentives to support the formal economy and formalization. |
| Penal Code Reforms | Increases penalties; classifies membership in armed groups as a crime; leaders face up to 30 years in prison. |
| Additional Reforms | Addresses reforms to the Tax regime Law and other regulations related to safety and money laundering. |