New Security Policy in
Ecuador
QUITO - Ecuador
began implementing a new
security policy on
Friday that for the
first time considers
citizens the main engine
to guarantee full
sovereignty and respect
for human rights.
Speaking at the
presentation of the
policy on Thursday,
National Security
Minister Gustavo Larrea
noted that the plan no
longer responds to the
interests of great
powers, which prioritize
the struggle against
terrorism and drug
trafficking, but to
national and regional
policies.
"There is no security
without democracy, there
is no security without
full respect for human
rights and life," he
pointed out.
As a new element, Larrea
explained that for the
first time, the policy
includes the civilian
population and several
government institutions,
because security used to
be a secret affair of
the Armed Forces.
The policy is aimed at
achieving full respect
for human rights and
promoting peace and
people's free
self-determination,
observing a new approach
to sovereignty.
Larrea warned that the
government wants to
guarantee full and
comprehensive security,
which not only means the
country's defense, but
also the combat against
unemployment, food
shortages and
malnutrition, as well as
guaranteeing everybody's
access to free education
and healthcare.
He pointed out that the
Ministry of Justice will
propitiate the
democratization of
justice and the defense
of human rights, which
will be a state priority
from now on.
Regarding the defense of
the borders, especially
in the north, Larrea
noted the implementation
of the Ecuador Plan,
which is a peace program
aimed at developing
border communities to
protect them from
violence, fear and drug
trafficking.
In addition to
reinforcing the troops,
we promote several
projects, including the
"Cocoa yes, coca no"
program, which are aimed
at providing border
citizens with jobs and
resources, he said.
Regarding Ecuador's
foreign policy, the
government needs to
strengthen Latin
American unity and other
integration initiatives.
This doctrine involves
the ministries of
Government, Foreign
Affairs, Justice and
Defense, as well as the
Anti-Corruption, Risk
Management and Technical
secretariats of the
Ecuador Plan. |
