Ecuador y su lucha contra el terrorismo : un análisis del conflicto armado interno.

Abstract

The research addresses the evolution of concepts in the internal armed conflict inEcuador, focusing on the possible classification of gangs as terrorist groups. It analyzes the legislation, definitions and events that led the country to declare an internal armed conflict. It is concluded that it is legally legitimate to classify gangs as terrorists if they commit acts typified as terrorism, and that organized crime offenses can evolve into terrorism offenses. The problem lies in prosecuting military targets of terrorist groups. Alegal reform is proposed to criminalize prisoners of war in an internal armed conflict, in accordance with international law. The proposal includes the reform of the criminal definition of terrorism to include individuals who are part of terrorist organizations, with proportional penalties. A participatory process is recommended for the reform andconstant monitoring of its effectiveness.