Local officials in Ecuador have been provided with police protection due to the surge in violence and insecurity in the country.
Interior Minister Juan Zapata reported that out of 28 mayors and deputy mayors who requested protection, 15 have been granted police support, while the rest await approval.
Five prefects and two vice-prefects have also been given security support after evaluating their risk levels.
During a meeting with municipal representatives, Zapata shared these figures while discussing the development of provincial security plans tied to the National Government’s security strategy.
A focus will be placed on areas with higher security risks, including major cities Quito and Guayaquil, the city of Durán, and coastal provinces such as Los Ríos, Manabí, El Oro, Esmeraldas, and Santa Elena.
Police are also protecting six of the eight presidential candidates for the upcoming elections on August 20. Meanwhile, 28 National Assembly (Congress) candidates have sought security measures.
The requests for protection from both local officials and candidates come as Ecuador experiences an unprecedented wave of violence impacting politicians.
Recent incidents include the fatal armed attack on National Assembly candidate Rider Sánchez in Quinindé, Esmeraldas, and the shooting of Manta city’s mayor, Agustín Intriago.
This surge in violence against politicians was notably prominent during the February 2023 sectional elections, where there were attacks and threats, including the shooting deaths of two mayoral candidates in coastal cities.