Quito surveillance cameras transferred to Ecuador's Ministry of the Interior

Ecuador's Ministry of the Interior has assumed operational control of the Metropolitan COE Camera Center in Quito through a five-year inter-institutional agreement. The move integrates 632 active surveillance cameras directly into the National Police's operations to enhance crime prevention, intelligence, and rapid response.

Interior Minister John Reimberg stated the decision aims to transform the system from a passive recording tool into an active operational component. The Ministry raised concerns regarding the previous management, alleging the existence of unauthorized “mirror rooms” (salas espejo) that could allow for information leaks and espionage. Reimberg also noted administrative irregularities regarding services provided by Telconet that have reportedly remained unregularized since January 2026.

Quito municipal authorities, including Mayor Pabel Muñoz and Emseguridad manager Adriana Moreira, have denied the existence of unauthorized mirror rooms or irregular use of the technology. They clarified that the cameras operate within the ECU 911 infrastructure and that the new agreement allows for a dual logic: the Police will use the data for security operations, while the Municipality will continue using it for emergency management and public space administration.