Ecuador Approves Law Letting Military Aid Police Without Emergency
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On 25 August 2026, the Ecuadorian National Assembly passed an organic law allowing the Armed Forces to support the National Police in combating organized crime without the requirement of a state of emergency. The measure, which received 83 votes in favor and 63 against, establishes a regulatory framework for Article 158 of the Constitution as mandated by a 2024 referendum. Under the law, military assistance is permitted for specific crimes including drug trafficking, terrorism, and prison crises, provided the police's operational capacity is demonstrated to be overwhelmed. The bill now proceeds to President Daniel Noboa for his signature or veto.
Consequences
The law replaces the need for rolling emergency decrees with a formal, structured activation process involving the Public and State Security Council and legislative oversight. Deployments will be restricted to a 180-day limit, with a single 30-day renewal option, requiring documented justifications from the police and technical assessments from the military.
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