Ecuador’s Congress, dominated by the opposition, initiated impeachment proceedings on Wednesday against Interior Minister Monica Palencia, accusing her of failing to control the surge in drug-related violence gripping the country.
Palencia, the public face of President Daniel Noboa’s administration in the fight against crime, will face allegations brought by two legislators affiliated with former President Rafael Correa’s socialist movement, who seek her removal from office.
To succeed, the impeachment vote requires the backing of 92 out of 137 members of Congress, where the opposition holds a majority.
Once regarded as a stable country in South America, Ecuador has witnessed a dramatic increase in violence, becoming a major hub for drug trafficking. The country recorded a shocking 47 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants in 2023, compared to just six per 100,000 in 2018.
President Noboa’s government has claimed success in reducing the murder rate this year through a crackdown on gangs linked to international criminal organizations, including Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel. Noboa, who has expressed his full support for Palencia, canceled a scheduled trip to Brazil to closely follow the impeachment proceedings, stating that he would “accompany her throughout her journey.”
