Today's news: election payments and new controlled drugs
Today we highlight the start of payments for those who participated in the past elections and the addition of new substances to the drug control list. We also report on the demand for justice regarding the death of a foreign activist and a worrying trend in the country's male population.
Citizens who worked as members of the Vote Receiving Boards (MJRV)—those responsible for receiving and counting ballots—during the 2025 Referendum and Popular Consultation can now collect their financial compensation. The National Electoral Council (CNE) reminded beneficiaries that they have a limited time to withdraw this payment at authorized institutions.
Regarding security and justice, the Polish government has requested an impartial investigation from Ecuador into the death of Polish activist Mónika Silva, which occurred this Monday in Montañita, Santa Elena province. Polish authorities are demanding transparency to ensure that human rights are respected during the process seeking to clarify the death of their citizen.
On the other hand, the Ministry of Public Health has added 10 new substances to the list of products subject to oversight. This measure aims to tighten state control over synthetic drugs to prevent their distribution and unregulated consumption within Ecuadorian territory.
In the social sphere, recent data shows that Ecuador is losing young men at a faster rate than they are being born. Over the last 35 years, more than 248,000 men died from preventable external causes—such as accidents or violence—while the birth rate for males has been cut in half, representing a critical demographic shift for the country.
Finally, authorities shut down a clandestine party at an estate in Conocoto, in the Valle de los Chillos, where nearly a thousand people were found, including 200 unsupervised minors. This operation is part of the control actions in Quito, which have already resulted in 22 sanctioning processes for unauthorized events so far this year.
To learn more details about these stories and other topics, visit the news section in our application. There you will find information about the opening of the 2026 World Cup in Mexico, Cristiano Ronaldo's situation with the Portugal national team, and Iran's diplomatic protests against the United States.