DistantNews
Support us
🇪🇨 Ecuador /Elections & Politics

Government to take control of Quito's security cameras, announces minister

From El Comercio · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement New plan
  • Ecuador's government will take control of Quito's security camera system from the Metropolitan Municipality.
  • President Daniel Noboa stated the move aims to integrate the video surveillance into the National Police's operations for public safety.
  • The Interior Minister cited a lack of response from the municipal system and concerns about potential espionage.

The Ecuadorian government announced it will assume control of Quito's security camera system, currently managed by the Metropolitan Municipality. President Daniel Noboa confirmed the decision via social media, stating the goal is to place the video surveillance system at the service of the National Police and the security of Quito's residents, rather than for "espionage networks."

We are taking control of Quito's video surveillance to put it where it always should have been: at the service of the National Police and the security of the people of Quito, not for espionage networks.

— Daniel NoboaAnnouncing the government's decision to take over Quito's security camera system.

Interior Minister John Reimberg explained that the move intends to utilize the cameras more effectively in combating crime. He asserted that the current municipal system has not provided the necessary response for citizens. Reimberg also indicated that services related to the cameras, contracted with Telconet, have been in a state of "fianza" (pending regularization) since January 2026, implying unresolved issues.

Reimberg further expressed concerns about the potential misuse of the camera system, particularly regarding "salas espejo" (mirror rooms) that allow remote access to images. He suggested these mechanisms could compromise police and military operations if information about agents and checkpoints fell into the hands of criminal organizations. The minister emphasized that the decision is about protecting lives, not about political disputes.

For too long, the Metropolitan COE Camera Center, managed by the Municipality of Quito, has not provided the response that citizens need.

— John ReimbergExplaining the rationale behind the government's decision to seize control of the cameras.

The announcement follows weeks of tension between the national government and Quito's municipality over the management of the city's video surveillance. In June, Reimberg had raised concerns before the Assembly's Security Commission about the alleged presence of former intelligence officials within the municipal camera system's related areas. The Municipality of Quito has denied these accusations, stating they were made without evidence and that no parallel structures exist.

It is not about competencies, protagonism, or political disputes. It is about protecting lives.

— John ReimbergStating the government's priority in taking over the security camera system.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Comercio in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog