On March 9, 2026, representatives from the Observatorio de Derechos y Justicia (ODJ) and the Asociación Ecuatoriana de Magistrados y Jueces del Ecuador (Aemaj) presented a concerning picture of Ecuador's judicial crisis to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR). This public hearing focused on the rising insecurity faced by judges and justice operators due to the influence of organized crime in the country. The organizations aimed to draw international attention to their plight and the challenges that impact their ability to enforce justice effectively.

Central to their presentation was the troubling case of Carlos Serrano, a former anti-corruption judge who has alleged that he faced undue pressure from Henry Gaibor, the former provincial director of the Judicial Council of Pichincha. Gaibor, allied with former judicial authority Mario Godoy, allegedly attempted to influence Serrano's ruling in a case involving the Serbian drug trafficker Jezdimir Srdan, who was sentenced to ten years for money laundering. The pressures that judges like Serrano experience reflect a broader pattern of intimidation that undermines the integrity of the judiciary, raising concerns about independence and accountability in Ecuador's legal system.

The intervention at the IACHR signifies the urgency of addressing these judicial challenges on an international platform, as local organizations warn that the ongoing crisis threatens the rule of law in Ecuador. The situation highlights the need for systemic reforms within the judiciary to ensure judges can operate free of intimidation and that public trust in justice is restored. Without a commitment to uphold judicial independence, the struggle against corruption and organized crime will become increasingly complicated, jeopardizing social stability and human rights in Ecuador.