# Public security and political tensions in Ecuador and the DR

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/public-security-and-political-tensions-in-ecuador-and-the-dr
> Updated: 2026-09-27T21:30:35.000Z. Sources: 74. Developments: 2.

In Ecuador, public perception of President Daniel Noboa’s administration remains divided. While his approval rating is 43.88%, security is a central issue; 31.58% of respondents view the fight against crime as the government’s primary achievement, though 25.58% criticize the increase in insecurity. The Armed Forces and National Police maintain high approval ratings of approximately 76% and 69%, respectively.

In the Dominican Republic, political tensions have intensified as the 2028 election cycle begins to take shape. Opposition leader Danilo Medina, representing the PLD, continues to challenge President Luis Abinader’s National Citizen Security Plan. Medina cites survey data claiming that 80% of the population believes the country is heading in the wrong direction and 62% of citizens find their income insufficient for daily necessities. He has also challenged official crime statistics, noting that 55% of citizens feel unsafe walking the streets.

President Abinader has defended his record by highlighting a decrease in the homicide rate, which fell to 7.34 per 100,000 inhabitants from 8.74 in 2025. He has emphasized public security through police reform and stricter border controls, noting that approximately 20 foreigners with criminal records are denied entry weekly. However, the PLD and the Fuerza del Pueblo continue to criticize ongoing police reforms, accusing officials of manipulating crime data and raising concerns over deaths during police interventions.

Internal political dynamics are evolving. Polling from IDEAME indicates that Carolina Mejía is leading David Collado in a potential internal contest for the presidency within the Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM), with 43.4% to 40.7%. Concurrently, the PLD is organizing internal processes, including a citizen consultation scheduled for October 18, 2026. Additionally, the Fuerza del Pueblo has raised alarms regarding public health, reporting 14,688 infant deaths over the last six years and criticizing the national healthcare system.

## Claims

- More than 55% of respondents feel there is insufficient security to walk the streets safely. (disputed by 4 sources)
- 80% of the population believes the country is on the wrong path. (corroborated by 8 sources)
- 16% of Dominicans believe the country is moving in the right direction. (corroborated by 8 sources)
- 71% of voters for the current president believe the country is on the wrong path. (corroborated by 8 sources)
- 62% of respondents say their income does not allow them to buy necessary daily food. (corroborated by 8 sources)
- The homicide rate in the Dominican Republic was 7.34 per 100,000 inhabitants as of September 18, 2026. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- In an internal PRM poll, Carolina Mejía leads David Collado with 43.4% to 40.7%. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Approximately 20 foreigners with criminal records are prevented from entering the country every week. (single source)
- The PRM party holds a 34.6% voter intention according to the RD Elige survey. (single source)
- There have been 14,688 infant deaths recorded in the Dominican Republic over the last six years. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-27: Dominican Republic faces political shifts and security concerns

Dominican Republic faces political shifts and social unrest as parties organize for 2028, while debates intensify over public security, economic stability, and rising infant mortality rates.

70 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/danilo-medina-claims-80-of-dominicans-believe-country-is-on-wrong-path

### 2026-09-26: Noboa and Abinader lead security-focused government initiatives

Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa faces mixed polling as security is seen as both his main success and failure, while Dominican President Luis Abinader intensifies efforts to strengthen national security plans.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/daniel-noboa-holds-4388-approval-in-ecuador-amid-security-focus

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Cite as: Public security and political tensions in Ecuador and the DR. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/public-security-and-political-tensions-in-ecuador-and-the-dr