The bill secured 88 votes in favor from the ruling National Democratic Action (ADN) caucus, the Social Christian Party (PSC), Pachakutik, and independent lawmakers.

However, lawmakers from the Citizen Revolution (RC) party present at the session abstained from supporting the text, which will now be sent to President Daniel Noboa for either enactment or objection.

The approved measure amends 15 legal statutes, introducing provisions aimed at preventing and eradicating the recruitment of minors by criminal organizations.

In a statement, the RC acknowledged the need to address this issue but criticized the ruling party’s approach for prioritizing punitive measures and prison security over strengthening prevention and specialized protection.

“In an Ecuador where children drop out of school, suffer violence—even within their own homes—and face a State that fails to protect them, another law cannot replace the prevention and state presence they currently lack,” the opposition movement stated.

The RC’s primary objection concerns the Centers for Adolescent Offenders (CAI), where minors involved in offenses serve out their mandated measures.

The reform transfers internal and external security at these centers to the Prison Guard Corps and the National Police; however, the RC argues that this change replaces the specialized custody model—based on educational supervisors—with a standard prison-based approach.

“How can exposing adolescents to a prison system be called protection?” the organization asked.

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