Was the popular consultation that introduced extradition in the Constitution worthless? Did it toughen the penalties for several crimes typified in the Penal Code? And did the famous “Phoenix Plan” ever exist? Political analyst Mauro Andino wondered on his social network when referring to Noboa’s announcement.

Andino exposed examples, such as Colombia and Peru, which have seven and eight U.S. military bases, respectively. Have they put an end to drug trafficking? Not at all. Colombia continues to be the largest cocaine producer in the world and Peru is not far behind, he said.

For the expert, “it is clear that demagogy and opportunism are part of the electoral agenda of the president to try to sustain certain support for next year’s elections”, the analyst concluded.

Similarly, security specialist Carlas Alvarez reiterated to Radio Pichincha that the president’s proposal responds to a political-electoral issue. According to the researcher, the multiple crises that Ecuador is facing make the president “seek to balance his image, and show proactivity in his administration, especially in his intention to be reelected in 2025.” Noboa’s announcement comes in the midst of the electoral hustle and bustle, and a rise in violence in this nation, despite the presence of the military on the streets, repeated states of emergency and the citizen’s claim for the lack of actions of the Executive to stop insecurity.

To this context is added the energy crisis, which has caused the return of eight-hour blackouts in the national territory.

The president of the Quito Chamber of Commerce, Monica Heller, warned that the power cuts will have an impact of US$3.5 million for each day without electricity, she said.

Meanwhile, Ecuadorians have expressed concern because the power outages are scheduled for the night-time, favorable for criminal acts.

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