Ecuador: Forces deployed to secure February 4 referendum /update 1

Event

Approximately 33,000 soldiers and 48,000 police officers are participating in security operations to protect the nationwide referendum scheduled to take place on Sunday, February 4. Security forces have been deployed to guard the ballots and will be present at polling stations to ensure transparency.

The referendum was called for by President Lenín Moreno, with a main goal of implementing a presidential term limit that would effectively bar former President Rafael Correa from running for office in the country's next presidential elections - scheduled for 2021. Protests both in favor and against the proposed amendments are to be anticipated in the coming days. The campaign period will officially come to an end on February 1.

Context

Tensions have been high between Correa and Moreno, despite the two being from the same political party, the leftist Alianza PAIS. Correa described Moreno as a sheep in wolf’s clothing following the arrest of Vice President Jorge Glas, who was sentenced to six years in prison in December 2017 in connection with the regional Odebrecht corruption scandal. Glas is accused of accepting bribes while serving under Correa; Correa has also been linked to the Odebrecht scandal.

Advice

Individuals in Ecuador are advised to keep abreast of the sociopolitical climate and avoid all protests as a precaution.