Ecuadorians voted to grant their new president expanded powers to address the country’s drug-related gang violence, supporting his tough stance on security. President Daniel Noboa, facing a surge in violence, declared an “internal armed conflict” and deployed the military to combat gangs. In a referendum, voters backed enshrining the increased military presence into law and lengthening prison sentences for organized crime offenses. Despite criticism, Noboa’s approval remains high, and the results are seen as a strong mandate for his administration. The referendum’s outcome is binding, and the government has 60 days to pass the measures into law. While some voters believe the changes will improve the country's future, others feel the referendum fails to address underlying structural issues.