# Ecuador enacts law to combat criminal recruitment of minors > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/organized-crime-recruitment-of-minors-in-ecuador > Updated: 2026-10-16T19:21:00.000Z. Sources: 63. Developments: 4. Following the official publication of the new organic law in the Official Registry on October 2, 2026, Ecuador has implemented significant reforms to the Organic Integral Penal Code (COIP). The legislation increases prison sentences for those recruiting or using minors for criminal activities from 10–13 years to between 22 and 26 years. To protect whistleblowers, the law allows for the use of identity reserves, while judicial authorities are empowered to temporarily block IP addresses, domains, and URLs used for digital recruitment. This legislative action comes amid a critical surge in violence targeting minors. UNICEF reports that juvenile homicides rose from 79 cases in 2021 to 412 in 2024. Organized crime membership has also reportedly doubled from 40,000 to 80,000 members over the last two years, leaving an estimated 5,000 to 18,000 adolescents at direct risk of recruitment. In the province of El Oro, authorities are on high alert following the murder of a 15-year-old student. In the Machala district, eight students have been killed within the last ten months, with investigations looking into links between these deaths and territorial disputes between gangs such as ‘Los Lobos’ and ‘Los Sao Box’. Analysts note that criminal organizations frequently use platforms like TikTok and economic incentives to recruit minors, often starting with small payments for transporting packages before escalating to the use of firearms. ## Claims - The bill passed the National Assembly with 88 votes in favor and 57 abstentions. (corroborated by 12 sources) - The Ecuadorian National Assembly approved a law to prevent and eradicate the recruitment of minors by criminal groups. (corroborated by 11 sources) - The law establishes prison sentences of 22 to 26 years for recruiting or using minors to commit crimes. (corroborated by 11 sources) - The law includes provisions for the temporary blocking of IP addresses and domains used to promote recruitment. (corroborated by 7 sources) - The Revolución Ciudadana party abstained from the vote. (corroborated by 7 sources) - The project must now be sent to the Executive for sanction or objection. (corroborated by 6 sources) - The law mandates schools to implement mechanisms for detecting risks and activating protection protocols. (corroborated by 6 sources) - More than 2,000 children have been detained in Ecuador so far in 2026 due to involvement in criminal activities. (corroborated by 3 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-10-16: Ecuador faces surge in juvenile homicides and criminal recruitment Ecuador reports a sharp rise in juvenile homicides, reaching 412 in 2024, amid growing concerns that up to 18,000 adolescents are at risk of recruitment by expanding organized crime groups. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ecuador-faces-surge-in-juvenile-homicides-and-criminal-recruitment ### 2026-10-03: Ecuador enacts law to combat criminal recruitment of minors Ecuador has implemented a new law increasing prison sentences to 22–26 years for recruiting minors for crime and authorizing the blocking of digital content used for criminal recruitment. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ecuador-enacts-law-to-combat-criminal-recruitment-of-minors ### 2026-09-28: Ecuador National Assembly approves law to prevent minor recruitment Ecuador's National Assembly approved a law to combat the recruitment of minors by criminal groups, establishing prison sentences of 22 to 26 years and implementing digital and school-based prevention measures. 44 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ecuador-national-assembly-to-debate-harsher-penalties-for-minor-recruitment ### 2026-09-17: Guayaquil police arrest student with firearm recruited by organized crime Police in Guayaquil, Ecuador, arrested a 16-year-old student for possessing a firearm after he was recruited by organized crime. Educators are questioning the effectiveness of the government's 'Plan Escudo' as' 15 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/paraguay-teachers-strike-over-salary-dispute --- Cite as: Ecuador enacts law to combat criminal recruitment of minors. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/organized-crime-recruitment-of-minors-in-ecuador