Contract killing in Ecuador: A criminal modality sanctioned as murder

Contract killing, or "sicariato," represents one of the most violent expressions of organized crime in Ecuador. Although widely recognized by citizens and media, it is not a distinct offense in the Organic Integral Penal Code (COIP). Legally, these acts are prosecuted as murder when committed for payment, a promised reward, or any other benefit.

Ecuador continues to face a high number of violent deaths in 2026, many linked to criminal organizations involved in drug trafficking, extortion, and territorial disputes. Sicariato is defined as the deliberate execution of a person for hire, in exchange for financial compensation or other advantages. Key drivers include the expansion of organized crime, corruption, drug trafficking, the illicit circulation of weapons, and widespread impunity. These factors contribute to a pervasive sense of insecurity and undermine the rule of law, impacting the fundamental right to life.

Legally, murder occurs when a person causes another's death without aggravating circumstances. Murder, as defined in Article 140 of the COIP, requires qualified circumstances, such as acting for payment or with treachery, making sicariato a form of murder, not simple homicide. Femicide, under Article 141, addresses the killing of a woman for gender-related reasons, typically by someone with power or a history of violence against the victim.

The investigation of these crimes falls under the purview of the State Prosecutor's Office, with support from the National Police. Criminal judges impose sanctions, ensuring due process. Penalties can extend up to 26 years of imprisonment, as stipulated by the COIP. The legal framework is grounded in Articles 3, 11, 66, and 76 of the Constitution of the Republic, and Articles 4, 8, and 25 of the American Convention on Human Rights (Pact of San José), adhering to the pro homine principle which mandates interpreting norms in the most favorable way to guarantee the right to life, effective judicial protection, and combat impunity.