The electronic anklet, used for monitoring individuals under legal restrictions, has been thrust into the public spotlight after the recent arrest of Guayaquil's mayor, Aquiles Alvarez. Legally required to wear the device, Alvarez was found without it during a police raid, raising serious questions about compliance and effectiveness of the monitoring system implemented by Ecuadorian authorities. Following his defense's claims that the device was charging, the National Service for Comprehensive Attention to Adults Deprived of Liberty and Offending Adolescents (SNAI) clarified that such devices are not meant to be removed or tampered with by the users, indicating potential shortcomings in the enforcement of justice.

This issue is not isolated, as previous incidents involving electronic monitoring have similarly shaken public trust. In 2018, former Communication Secretary Fernando Alvarado also removed his device and subsequently fled the country, leaving a note behind that was perceived as a mockery of the justice system. Such cases fuel ongoing public concern about the efficiency of electronic monitoring as a means of ensuring accountability among those awaiting trial or serving sentences. The implications of these discussions are significant, as they raise important questions about the legal framework surrounding electronic monitoring and whether current practices are adequate to deter escape or non-compliance.

Public calls for reform are emerging, as citizens demand accountability and effective measures to prevent further abuses of the electronic monitoring system. As the legal debates continue, both the effectiveness of these devices and the roles of authorities responsible for enforcing their use come under scrutiny. The case of Mayor Alvarez could become a pivotal point in reshaping policies around electronic monitoring in Ecuador, highlighting the urgent need for legislative and procedural improvements to restore trust in the justice system.