Attacks on journalists and media workers amidst state of emergency in Ecuador

Introduction

Ecuador’s new president pledges to curb violence and boost jobs

On 23rd November 2023, Daniel Noboa was sworn in as Ecuador’s new president, pledging to tackle violence and create jobs amidst the country’s spiralling violence. The president will serve the remaining 18 months of former President Guillermo Lasso’s term, which ends in May 2025. Lasso shortened his presidency by dissolving the National Assembly in May to halt impeachment proceedings against him.

Daniel Noboa faces some challenges after being elected in a snap election. During his short presidential term, he will need to address key issues such as escalating violence, drug trafficking, economic instability after years of neoliberal policies, and energy shortages linked to climate factors. Additionally, his party, National Democratic Action, holds only 14 of the 137 legislative seats, which may limit his capacity to implement reforms.

The National Electoral Council has announced the 2025 presidential election calendar, with candidate registration from September to October, campaigning starting in January 2025 and election day scheduled for 9th February 2025.

Human rights concerns as Ecuador militarises security efforts in fight against organised crime

As previously reported, Ecuador has faced a dramatic surge in violence in recent years, leading to a sharp rise in homicides linked to organised crime and gang-related activity. In 2022, Ecuador was the tenth most violent country in Latin America and the Caribbean region. This security crisis is partially driven by structural discrimination against young people and semi-institutionalised corruption, exacerbated by the country’s position in the global drug trade and money laundering. President Noboa has claimed that organised criminal groups have generated around USD 60 billion in total revenue, comparable to the country’s external debt.

According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), homicides increased by approximately 407 per cent from 2016 to 2022. The most recent data shows a spike in homicides, representing a 94.77 per cent increase from 2021 to 2022. Several criminal organisations are fighting for control of lucrative cocaine routes, particularly in Guayaquil, which hosts one of the busiest ports in South America.

On 8th January 2024, President Daniel Noboa declared a 60-day state of emergency (Decree 110) following the escape of gang leader José Adolfo Macías Villamar from Guayaquil Regional Prison, who was serving a 34-year sentence. Decree 110 suspended the right of assembly, imposing a night curfew and granting the army expanded powers to control internal security, particularly in prisons. The measure triggered a surge of gang violence nationwide, leading to at least 16 prison riots across nine provinces, coordinated bomb attacks, over 150 prison officers kidnapped and the storming of a TC Televisión broadcast in Guayaquil (see expression).

On the following day, President Noboa amplified the state of emergency (Decree 111), declaring an ‘internal armed conflict’ against 22 criminal groups operating in the country, granting them belligerent status, labelling them as ‘terrorists’, and deploying the army. In situations classified as non-international armed conflicts, International Humanitarian Law (IHL) applies alongside domestic law and international human rights law (IHRL). As a result, Ecuador’s security forces are permitted to use lethal force against people belonging to those criminal groups officially designated by the government as parties to the conflict. On 10th January, the National Assembly unanimously approved a resolution supporting Decree 111.

The militarisation of the state has raised concerns about increased gang violence and potential human rights abuses. On 13th January, the spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Liz Throssell, urged that all emergency measures be proportionate, time-limited, and comply with international law, emphasising the need for accountability and non-discrimination in security operations. “Human rights must be at the centre of all policies to stem the violence. This includes addressing the structural and root causes of violence.”

The risks associated with illegal mining and the government’s response through militarisation are a particular concern for Indigenous communities. On 19th January, the Indigenous rights organisation Amazon Watch raised concerns over the Ecuadorian government’s public security approach, warning it could create a climate of fear and lead to authoritarian measures. The organisation highlighted the potential for further stigmatisation of environmental defenders and increased threats to human rights protections, particularly affecting Indigenous and peasant communities. “They face multiple threats from both military and police forces (criminalisation, militarisation, and persecution under the pretext of fighting organised crime) and criminals (contesting control of territories related to drug trafficking and illegal mining).”

Expression

January 2024 sees severe armed attack during live TV broadcast

In December 2023 and January 2024, violence against journalists intensified, with January 2024 witnessing particularly severe incidents, including an armed attack during a live TV broadcast.

On 9th January 2024, heavily armed gangsters stormed the TC Televisión studio in Guayaquil, interrupting a live broadcast of the El Noticiero news programme. The attackers, equipped with pistols, shotguns, machine guns, grenades and dynamite, overwhelmed the studio. They were masked and began by displaying a weapon before beating and intimidating media workers. The entire country watched the kidnapping and ensuing violence. The attackers threatened staff with firearms, claimed to have grenades, and fired shots. After two hours, police special forces rescued the hostages and detained the perpetrators.

The Public Prosecutor’s Office reported that 13 people will face charges of terrorism. One person sustained injuries, but there were no fatalities. Similar incidents occurred at Gamavisión TV, where media workers were also kidnapped and later released. On the same day, other journalists received threatening phone calls from organised crime groups.

On 17th January, the prosecutor César Suárez, responsible for investigating the attack on a television station, was shot dead while en route to a court hearing. Media reports indicated that Suárez’s vehicle was intercepted and fired upon twenty times, resulting in his immediate death. On 21st February 2024, the Prosecutor's Office announced terrorism charges against William Joffre A. B., who is accused of masterminding the occupation of the TC Televisión channel’s facilities.

On 17th January, The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) and its Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression (RFOE) condemned the serious acts of violence committed by organised criminal groups:

“The IACHR and RFOE condemned this violence, expressed their solidarity with the Ecuadorian people, and urged the State to investigate, prosecute, and punish all the events with due diligence. […] During states of exception, it is essential to ensure that information is distributed as widely as possible. The State must provide guarantees for journalists to carry out their work safely and without fear of reprisals; and authorities should condemn all attacks and acts of intimidation against them.”

Likewise, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the Federation of Journalists of Latin America and the Caribbean (FEPALC) condemned the attack and hostage-taking at TC Televisión, along with similar incidents targeting other media outlets by organised crime groups.

Other key events from the first months of the year:

On 9th January, during a press conference in Azuay province, journalist Segundo Cabrera from Radio Noticias Cuenca faced insults after questioning the prefect of Azuay, Jota Lloret. The press conference was organised by the prefect to discuss security issues following recent violent incidents in Cuenca and Azuay.

After Cabrera asked whether it was feasible to manage the situation given that Lloret’s political organisation, Revolución Ciudadana, is implicated in the “Metástasis” case involving criminal groups, Lloret’s response was interrupted by Cuenca’s Mayor, Cristian Zamora, who told Cabrera to “stop asking stupid questions.” Cabrera’s further attempt to clarify his question was met with additional derogatory remarks from Lloret, who labelled Cabrera’s query as coming from a “mentally ill” person. This incident led to the abrupt end of the press conference with all officials leaving the room.

On the same day, former president Correa further attacked Cabrera in a post on X, labelling the media as “trash press” and blaming them for the country’s problems. The “Metástasis” case, the largest anti-corruption and anti-drug trafficking operation in Ecuador’s history, has resulted in the arrest of 29 people, including judges, prosecutors, police officers, lawyers and associates of organised crime.

On 10th January, Juan José Albán, a journalist with the digital platform La Posta, received a warning from two police officers about a potential threat to his life. The officers visited Albán’s workplace to inform him that a criminal group leader was reportedly planning to kidnap and attack him. Following the warning, Albán’s employer activated their own security protocols, despite initial guidance from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit (Unase) being deemed insufficiently strict.

Albán noted that the threat emerged seven months after he reported on the murder of lawyer Harrison Salcedo in Quito. Although the current security situation might have heightened criminal group activity, Albán suspects that the threat could be linked to his investigative reporting.

On 17th January, journalists attempting to cover the assassination of Prosecutor César Suárez in Guayaquil faced interference from police. The police confiscated mobile phones and forced reporters to delete images. Luis Antonio Ruiz, a journalist with “WeCanal”, reported on social media that police obstructed live coverage by Keisha Naranjo and reviewed the phone of cameraman Carlos Chilán.

On 19th January, the Press Protection Coordination Committee (MAPP) reported that Katherine Heredia, a journalist who investigated the Quito Municipality and Pichincha Prefecture, had been forced into exile. Heredia faced severe threats and intimidation, which led her to leave the country. In August 2023, she was followed for several blocks in Quito. Soon after, she received a direct threat linked to her reporting on allegations of vote-buying by Prefect Paola Pabón. The intimidation intensified, including an incident where an unknown individual threatened her with a gun and vandalised her family’s home. In October 2023, Heredia found a threatening note on her family’s car, signed by an organised crime group. Following these events, she resigned from her job and fled the country.

Reports highlight erosion of press freedom

In 2023, the Ecuadorian press freedom organisation Fundamedios documented 224 incidents against journalists, media workers and media outlets. Attacks by organised crime increased dramatically, rising by 870 per cent compared to 2020 and by 340 per cent compared to 2022. Out of 68 attacks by organised crime in 2023, 53 were directed at journalists and media workers, making up 78 per cent of the total.

Between 2023 and early 2024, 11 journalists have been compelled to go into exile. At least 59 attacks were recorded against women journalists, including 17 gender-related assaults, with the majority being digital and often characterised by sexual or misogynistic content.

Fundamedios’ 2023 report has revealed a concerning decline in freedom of expression in Ecuador, characterised by increasing threats and attacks on journalists and media organisations. The report detailed a rise in physical violence, intimidation and legal harassment targeting those who report critically on government actions or sensitive issues.

In February 2024, the press freedom organisation Asociación de Periodistas Sin Cadenas published a report that details an increase in digital violence against journalists, accounting for 54 instances of derogatory comments on social media out of a total of 289 incidents. Of the 289 recorded incidents of aggression against journalists, 80 were by state actors, 170 by non-state actors and 39 by unknown perpetrators.

Comments aimed at journalists often seek to delegitimise their work or opinions, with women journalists frequently facing sexist and misogynistic remarks questioning their professional credibility due to their gender. Examples of such comments include derogatory terms and insults like “prostitute,” “go back to the kitchen,” and “you lack a d**k,” particularly on the social media platform X.

IACHR urges Ecuador to tackle rising violence and impunity against journalists

On 6th November 2023, the IACHR held a session addressing freedom of expression and the safety of journalists in Ecuador. Civil society organisations voiced serious concerns over the worsening security situation for journalists. They pointed to a sharp rise in violence, including murders, threats, and the forced exile of investigative journalists, particularly those reporting on corruption, organised crime and environmental issues. They also highlighted a persistent lack of accountability for attacks and stressed the urgent need for stronger protective measures.

The Ecuadorian government acknowledged recent improvements in the legal framework, including reforms to the Organic Law of Communication. They outlined efforts to create a national mechanism for protecting journalists and engaging civil society in the process. However, concerns persist over the effectiveness and implementation of these measures, particularly given the growing violence linked to organised crime.

The IACHR representatives called for a concerted effort to end impunity for crimes against journalists. They urged Ecuador to ensure protective mechanisms function effectively and to conduct thorough investigations into attacks. The session closed with a call for continued dialogue between the government and civil society to enhance journalist safety and working conditions.

Association

Environmental defender’s home attacked

On 19th November 2023, environmental defender Luis Sánchez Zhiminaycela found that his home in the Sumachuaycu sector of Tundaymi, in the south-eastern region of the Amazon Basin, had been partially destroyed by fire. The blaze also damaged his personal belongings and essential agricultural tools crucial for his livelihood. Sánchez was not present at the time of the attack.

According to the human rights organisation, Alliance for Human Rights of Ecuador, the attack on Sánchez appears to be a deliberate attempt to intimidate him and hinder his work. It follows warnings about the risks associated with waste from the open-pit Mirador mining project, owned by EcuaCorriente, and the announcement of an unconsulted expansion that could turn it into the largest toxic waste site in the world. “We urge the government of Daniel Noboa to enhance protections for defenders, conduct a thorough audit of the Mirador project and review all mining concessions. Additionally, we call on the Constitutional Court to resolve pending cases and ensure full reparation for affected communities.”

This incident highlights serious concerns about the safety and protection of environmental defenders in the region.

Ecuadorian Court orders return of ancestral land to Siekopai People

On 24th November 2023, the Provincial Court of Sucumbíos ruled in favour of the Indigenous Siekopai people, ordering the Ministry of Environment, Water and Ecological Transition to return to them 42,360 hectares of land along the Ecuador-Peru border. This land, known as Pë’këya, is situated in the north-eastern Ecuadorian Amazon, a region with exceptional biodiversity. The court also required a public apology for violating the Siekopai’s collective territorial rights after their forced displacement 80 years ago.

The ruling grants the Siekopai legal ownership of their ancestral land and authorises them to manage local natural resources sustainably. As informed by Mongabay, an independent media organisation reporting on Nature and planetary challenges, Siekopai leader Justino Piaguaje highlighted that while the Ministry must continue monitoring deforestation and river pollution, the community has the authority to control their territory.

Jorge Acero, a human rights defender and lawyer with Amazon Frontlines, pointed out that although the Ministry of Environment, Water and Ecological Transition has traditionally set rules for protected areas, this decision obliges the Ministry to respect the Siekopai’s rights to self-management.

The Siekopai were displaced in the 1940s due to the militarisation of the area during the Ecuador-Peru war, which restricted their movement. The Ecuadorian state then appropriated Pë’këya in 1979, turning it into the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve without the Siekopai’s consent. Despite numerous requests for restitution, the Siekopai only saw action after filing a lawsuit in 2022.

This decision marks the first time an Ecuadorian court has ordered the return of land to Indigenous people.

Human rights defender faces digital attack after supporting victims of armed forces violations

On 8th January 2024, a human rights defender from the Ecuadorian organisation Permanent Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDH) faced a targeted digital attack. Unknown people hacked into all their social media and email accounts, attempted to gain suspicious access, committed identity theft and sent malicious emails.

As stated by the Alliance for Human Rights of Ecuador, the intent appeared to be to intimidate the defender, disrupt their work and access information on the cases they support. This attack occurred shortly after the defender assisted victims of severe human rights violations by the armed forces. Within the same week, the defender faced additional digital violence and intimidation.

Attack against young climate activist

On 26th February 2024, 14-year-old climate activist Leonela Moncayo reported that an improvised explosive device was detonated outside her home. This incident occurred following a session at the National Assembly five days earlier, which focused on monitoring compliance with the ‘Mecheros’ case ruling from 2021.

According to Amnesty International, during this session, they faced criticism from Minister of Energy and Mines, Andrea Arrobo, who suggested the young women were being manipulated and asserted that the government had fulfilled its obligations by removing two gas flares.

Moncayo is one of nine young climate activists from Sucumbíos and Orellana who achieved a landmark ruling in 2021 requiring the Ecuadorian government to eliminate all gas flares that contribute significantly to the climate crisis and impact frontline communities.

She is the daughter of renowned human rights defenders Donald Moncayo and Silvia Zambrano, associated with the strategic litigation organisation ‘Unión de Afectados por Texaco’ (UDAPT).

Peaceful Assembly

Despite the government’s 60-day state of emergency, protests took place in Ecuador.

Protest to demand human rights protection for prisoners

On 24th January, families of prisoners staged a peaceful sit-in at the Guayas Governor’s Office in Guayaquil, urging the government to ensure the human rights of inmates under military control. Activists from the Vivir Libre Foundation joined the demonstration, demanding updates on the safety of transgender and LGBTQI+ prisoners. The foundation also raised concerns about reports of assaults, disappearances and deaths of transgender prisoners since the declaration of the state of emergency.

Cotopaxi Indigenous Movement protest and VAT increase

On 9th February, 500 members of the Cotopaxi Indigenous Movement (MIC) marched through central Latacunga, protesting rising insecurity during the state of emergency and opposing the proposed value-added tax (VAT) increase from 12 to 15 per cent.

MIC leaders have claimed that rural communities have seen a rise in crime due to the concentration of police and military forces in urban areas and the Latacunga Social Rehabilitation Centre. The movement is advocating for the reactivation of community guards to protect farmers, and the use of Indigenous justice in urban areas.

Kichwa Community protests government’s mega-prison plan in ancestral territory

On 6th February, the Kichwa community of Santa Clara, descendants of the indigenous peoples of the Ecuadorian Amazon, took to the streets to denounce the government’s plan to build a mega-prison in their ancestral territory in Pastaza province. They also protested the lack of free, prior and informed consultation, raising significant issues regarding their rights and the potential impact on their land.

The Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of the Ecuadorian Amazon (CONFENIAE) and environmental and human rights organisations have called for the defence of territorial and cultural rights. According to the CONFENIAE, the construction of more prisons, as proposed in the “Plan Fénix” security policy, does not address the structural causes of social injustice and inequality. The lack of transparency in President Noboa’s statements regarding the penitentiary project generates additional doubts and concerns.

“Indigenous communities cannot be pushed to the side in the government’s attempts to address these challenges. Given that Ecuador’s Indigenous and rural peoples are likely to find themselves on the front line of Noboa’s war, they must have a seat at the decision-making table in designing solutions.”