# Ecuador legislative and judicial developments

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/ecuador-legislative-and-judicial-developments
> Updated: 2026-10-19T21:37:16.000Z. Sources: 30. Developments: 2.

Ecuador has seen significant legal and legislative activity regarding international trade and domestic criminal reform.

The Constitutional Court ruled that the Reciprocal Trade Agreement with the United States requires approval from the National Assembly. This agreement, intended to eliminate a 10% U.S. surtax on various Ecuadorian non-oil exports including agricultural products and minerals, involves constitutional requirements for treaties affecting trade and integration.

Separately, the National Assembly unanimously approved reforms to the Organic Law against Human Trafficking and Illicit Migrant Smuggling. The new legislation modifies the Organic Integral Penal Code (COIP) to strengthen victim protection and increase penalties for traffickers. Key changes include the introduction of forced marriage and forced de facto unions as autonomous crimes, as well as the recognition of gleba servitude as a modality of exploitation.

For trafficking cases involving minors, the law removes the requirement to prove the use of threats, force, or deception to establish the crime. Penalties have been significantly increased: basic aggravated trafficking carries 19 to 22 years in prison, rising to 26 to 30 years for serious or irreversible damage, and reaching up to 35 years if the victim dies. To combat the financial aspects of organized crime, the Prosecutor’s Office and the Financial and Economic Analysis Unit (UAFE) are now authorized to conduct parallel financial investigations to track and freeze illicit assets. The reform aims to align Ecuadorian law with international standards and comply with a Constitutional Court ruling regarding the Furukawa case.

## Claims

- The National Assembly of Ecuador approved a reform to the Law against Human Trafficking and Illicit Migrant Smuggling. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Forced marriage and forced de facto unions are now categorized as autonomous crimes in the COIP. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Human trafficking penalties can reach up to 35 years in prison if the victim dies. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The law removes the requirement to prove threats, force, or deception for trafficking cases involving minors. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The reform incorporates gleba servitude as a modality of exploitation. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The reform was approved by a unanimous vote of 144 legislators. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The Prosecutor's Office and UAFE can perform parallel financial investigations to track illicit assets. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The reform aims to comply with the Constitutional Court ruling regarding the Furukawa case. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The National Assembly approved an objection to a presidential veto regarding the Tax Code reform. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The Tax Code reform sets a fine of 0.5% of the value of undeclared assets, capped at 2,075 basic unified salaries. (corroborated by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-19: Ecuador National Assembly approves major human trafficking law reform

Ecuador's National Assembly unanimously approved a reform to human trafficking laws, introducing autonomous crimes for forced marriage and increasing prison sentences up to 35 years.

29 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ecuador-national-assembly-approves-tax-code-reform

### 2026-10-16: Ecuador Constitutional Court mandates legislative approval for U.S. trade deal

Ecuador's Constitutional Court ruled that the Reciprocal Trade Agreement with the U.S. must be approved by the National Assembly to comply with constitutional requirements.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ecuador-constitutional-court-mandates-legislative-approval-for-us-trade-deal

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Cite as: Ecuador legislative and judicial developments. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/ecuador-legislative-and-judicial-developments