Overview
- President Daniel Noboa signed Decree 424 on Thursday, declaring a new 'conflicto armado interno' and imposing a 60-day state of exception that covers 10 provinces and three cantons.
- The decree says foreign personnel who take part in operations will 'enjoy immunity' under international agreements and explicitly allows the deployment of allied militaries to violence-hit provinces.
- Ecuador began a domestic deployment of about 13,000 troops to Guayas, Manabí, El Oro and Los Ríos, and military leaders said they have not yet recorded the arrival of foreign combat troops.
- The measure gives the president authority to grant pardons or commute sentences for personnel who act 'in defense of the State' and urges the National Assembly to consider amnesties for security forces and civilians.
- Human-rights groups have warned the decree risks creating impunity after reports of alleged abuses and roughly 43 possible forced disappearances since 2023, and critics say the policy could damage rule of law, tourism and investment.