Gustavo A. Flores-Macías, professor of government and public policy at Cornell University: “The referendum resulted in a clear victory for President Daniel Noboa’s public safety agenda. Although the government faced setbacks on questions related to economic issues, Ecuadoreans sent a loud message of support behind Noboa’s tough-on-crime measures. Almost three-fourths of ballots cast approved greater involvement of the military in law enforcement, and about two-thirds expressed support for the extradition of Ecuadoreans provided that certain conditions are met. Similarly, a majority of participants backed measures related to harsher prison sentences and the tightening of gun control. The results give President Noboa considerable momentum ahead of next February’s presidential election. Although tough-on-crime policies enjoy widespread support in Latin America regardless of their effectiveness, the measures’ early results have contributed to…”