Ecuador is grappling with historic levels of violence: homicide rates surged from 5.8 to 46.2 per 100,000 inhabitants between 2018 and 2023.

A group of U.S. congressmembers, including Greg Casar, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Jonathan L. Jackson, sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressing concern over the integrity of Ecuador’s upcoming presidential runoff election, scheduled for April 13. The document highlights violations of electoral law, an unprecedented security crisis, and human rights abuses that, according to the signatories, threaten to undermine the democratic process.

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Accusations Against President Noboa for Violating Electoral Norms

The lawmakers emphasize that President Daniel Noboa, a candidate for reelection, failed to step down from his duties during the campaign period as required by Ecuador’s Constitution, enabling him to misuse public resources for political gain. They also criticize his unsubstantiated claims of irregularities in the first round of voting, which were refuted by international observers from the Organization of American States (OAS) and the European Union (EU). Concerns are raised that Noboa may attempt to delegitimize the runoff if he fails to secure a decisive victory.

Escalating Security Crisis and Military Abuses

Ecuador is grappling with historic levels of violence: homicide rates surged from 5.8 to 46.2 per 100,000 inhabitants between 2018 and 2023. Noboa declared an “internal armed conflict” and deployed troops to low-income areas, but the Constitutional Court criticized the lack of justification for this measure. Reports cite extrajudicial executions, 27 forced disappearances, and the case of four Afro-Ecuadorian children killed by soldiers. While 16 suspects were arrested, Noboa has pushed for preemptive pardons for security personnel involved in violent acts.

Impact on Elections and Migration

The lawmakers warn that fear stemming from violence and abuses could suppress voter turnout in the runoff. They stress that political instability and organized crime have already driven over 200,000 Ecuadorians to migrate to the U.S. in the past two years—a number likely to rise if the crisis persists.

Review of Military Aid and Democratic Conditions

The letter demands that U.S. assistance to Ecuador—including millions in security funding—be conditioned on adherence to electoral and human rights standards, in line with the Leahy Law, which bars aid to forces implicated in abuses. It also urges Rubio to support international observers and warn that any constitutional breach would jeopardize bilateral cooperation.

Call for Transparency and Justice

The signatories press the State Department to prioritize a free and transparent electoral process, respected by all parties, and to audit security funding to ensure compliance with democratic norms. The letter concludes by underscoring that Ecuador’s stability is vital to preventing a broader regional and migration crisis.

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