Noboa wins securityfocused referendum

QUITO: Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa has won significant voter support for a raft of security measures he says will help him fight sharply increased crime, a quick vote tally by the national electoral council showed yesterday.

The successful measures — including joint policemilitary patrols, the extradition of wanted criminals and longer sentences for terrorism and murder, among other crimes — are intended to battle spiking violence that has made international headlines.

Even as voting was taking place, authorities reported the death of a prison director in the Manabi province and a possible riot attempt at a prison in Los Rios province.

The SNAI prisons agency provided no details about the death of director Cosme Damian Parrales, but said it was investigating.

‘‘We have defended the country, now we have more tools to fight against crime and return peace to Ecuadorean families,’’ Noboa posted on his Instagram account.

The quick count by the electoral council showed between 60% and 73% backing for the securityfocused measures, including tougher gun controls in areas close to prisons, no parole for crimes such as kidnapping or terrorism financing, among others, and the military being able to use confiscated weapons.

Cocainesmuggling gangs have expanded into every corner of Latin America over the last decade, turning oncetranquil nations such as Ecuador into new battlegrounds, security officials and diplomats say.

In January, gunmen stormed a live television broadcast and scores of prison staff were taken hostage.

Polling had suggested voters would likely support the measures put forward by Noboa in the 11question referendum.

A measure which would allow workers to be contracted by the hour, which opponents say will benefit the rich and international companies, and another recognising international arbitrage were rejected by voters, as more than 60% said no.