Ecuador President Noboa proposes military tribunals for armed forces' actions

President Daniel Noboa of Ecuador has proposed creating military tribunals to judge members of the armed forces engaged in operations against crime. Noboa stated on June 23, 2026, that these specialized courts are common globally and in Latin America, arguing they are better equipped to handle military procedures and potential offenses during operations.

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we are fighting a war

This initiative is integrated into his administration's Integral Security Plan 2025-2029, recently declared public policy. The plan outlines strategies to combat criminal groups, which have plunged Ecuador into a severe violence crisis, marked by a record 9,283 homicides in 2025. The proposed tribunals would fall under the jurisdiction of the Judiciary Council, tasked with processing criminal cases involving military personnel.

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we are fighting a war

While the plan details the need for immediate execution, the Ministry of Defense, the Judiciary Council, and the Joint Command of the Armed Forces are identified as responsible institutions. Noboa believes these tribunals will provide "tranquility and security" to the armed forces, ensuring they are not wrongly judged if they adhere to military norms. He also asserted that specialized judges could distinguish between legitimate actions and abuses.

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we are fighting a war

Ecuador previously had military and police courts, but the 2008 constitution mandates that military and police members face ordinary justice. This proposal comes after a recent case where sixteen soldiers were convicted for the forced disappearance of four minors in December 2024, whose bodies were later found. The soldiers had detained the minors irregularly before their deaths.

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we are fighting a war