The State Public Security Council (Cosepe) resolved to declare illegal mining a threat to state security.
The Secretary of Security, Diego Ordóñez, during a Cosepe press conference on January 26, 2023.
The announcement was made by the Secretary of Security, Diego Ordóñez, at a press conference held in Carondelet, after a meeting of the Council of Public Security and State (Cosepe).
According to Ordóñez, the decision was made in the session on Tuesday, January 24, after identifying that illegal mining has direct links with other crimes such as money laundering, drug trafficking and arms trafficking.
The official added that this type of mining also leaves “environmental damage and makes work precarious in areas where there is this activity.”
He referred, above all, to provinces such as Morona Santiago, Zamora Chinchipe, El Oro, Esmeraldas, Loja, Sucumbíos and Azuay.
Ordóñez added that to face it, a general strategy defined by Cosepe has been approved. In addition, it was decided to support legal mining concessions so that they can carry out their activities.
This means, he explained, that the National Police and the Armed Forces will act when there are impediments for mining companies to develop their activity.
However, he clarified that the mining projects will not be declared as security zones, since the government’s intention is to establish comprehensive plans between the Army and the Police to combat illegal mining.
Indigenous guard
In response to Conaie’s announcement that the Indigenous Guard will prevent the Armed Forces and the Police from carrying out illegal mining control operations in their territories, Ordóñez emphasized that the State has the obligation to guarantee order and peace throughout the country.
“There is no possibility that the indigenous guard intends to replace the role of the Armed Forces and the Police, which have by definition the legitimate use of force.”
Although it also recognized that the State cannot have a permanent presence in ancestral territories by decision of the Constitutional Court.
Ordoñez announced that in the coming days President Guillermo Lasso will sign an Executive Decree detailing strategies to combat illegal mining.
