Ecuador national assembly passes gang-fighting reforms

A soldier searches for members of drug gangs, hidden weapons or drugs during a government operation to return homes, allegedly stolen by drug gangs, to their rightful owners, in Duran, Ecuador July 19, 2024. REUTERS/Santiago Arcos/File Photo

QUITO (Reuters) -Ecuador's National Assembly on Saturday approved a reform backed by President Daniel Noboa to arm the government with new legal powers to confront armed groups and dismantle the drug-trafficking networks that fuel their criminal enterprises.

The bill was backed by 84 of the 141 lawmakers who were present in the legislature. Forty-six lawmakers voted against it, 10 abstained and one turned in a blank vote.