Mishel Mancheno, the First Vice President of Ecuador's National Assembly and member of the Acción Democrática Nacional (ADN) party, is set to introduce a comprehensive anti-mafia bill. This legislative effort aims to structurally dismantle organized crime economies that jeopardize the country's sovereignty and internal security, as well as the regular functioning of the national economy. The announcement was made at the International Forum on Security and Anti-Mafia Justice held in Quito.

Mancheno emphasized three key aspects of the upcoming bill. Firstly, it intends to place a significant focus on criminal finances within anti-mafia policy-making. Secondly, it aims to establish clear principles governing state action and the use of force against criminal groups. Mancheno pointed out the limitations currently faced by the armed forces and national police, stating that they often find themselves constrained by unclear regulations, which fail to respond adequately to urgent security needs.

This initiative comes at a time when Ecuador is grappling with increasing levels of violence and crime related to organized criminal networks. By setting the groundwork for this bill, ADN seeks not only to strengthen law enforcement capabilities but also to safeguard the country’s economic and social integrity from the pervasive threat of organized crime, marking a significant step towards enhancing security in Ecuadorian society.