Ecuadorians vote overwhelmingly in referendum to approve toughening fight against gangs

QUITO, Ecuador (AP) — Ecuador’s fledgling president got a resounding victory Sunday in a referendum that he touted as a way to crack down on criminal gangs behind a spiraling wave of violence.

An official quick count showed that Ecuadorians overwhelmingly voted “yes” to all nine questions focused on tightening security measures, rejecting only two more controversial economic proposals.

The quick count was announced by the head of the Electoral National Council, Diana Atamaint. It confirmed a private exit poll released hours before that indicated a resounding victory and sign of support for President Daniel Noboa, the scion of a wealthy banana exporting family.

Among the measures approved are President Noboa's call to deploy the army in the fight against the gangs, to loosen obstacles for extraditing accused criminals and to lengthen prison sentences for convicted drug traffickers.

Ecuador was traditionally one of South America's most peaceful countries, but it has been rocked in recent years by a wave of violence, much of it spilling over from neighboring Colombia, the world's largest producer of cocaine. Last year, the country's homicide rate shot up to 40 deaths per 100,000 people, one of the highest in the region.

Noboa has rallied popular support by confronting the gangs head on. That task became more urgent in January when masked gunmen, some on orders from imprisoned drug traffickers, terrorized residents and took control of a television station while it was live on the air in an unprecedented show of force.

Following the rampage, the 36-year-old president decreed an “internal armed conflict,” enabling him to use emergency powers to deploy the army in pursuit of about 20 gangs now classified as “terrorists.”

The referendum, in which more than 13 million Ecuadorians were called to vote, contained measures to extend those powers and put them on firmer legal ground.

For some analysts, the Ecuadorian leader must show results to live up to people’s support.

“This gives him some vigor,” said Andrea Endara, analyst and professor at Casa Grande University. But “if the president does not begin to take actions to demonstrate that having voted ‘yes’ brings results to reduce insecurity, this support will quickly be diluted.”

Some of the measures approved imply changes to Ecuador's constitution, but because they were previously endorsed by the Constitutional Court, Noboa only needs to publish them in the official gazette to go into effect. Some of those initiatives are the ones related to the use of the army and extradition.

For the changes that require changing some general laws, the president will have to send a reform proposal to the Assembly, which will have 60 days to process them.

Noboa, ahead of the final tally, celebrated the results. “We've defended the country,” he said in a message posted on social media. “Now we will have more tools to fight against the delinquent and restore peace to Ecuador's families.”

Noboa's law and order rhetoric recalls the policies of El Salvador's wildly popular president, Nayib Bukele, a fellow millennial, and could give him a boost politically as he prepares to run for reelection next year.

Noboa, is serving the final 18 months of a presidential term left vacant when fellow conservative Guillermo Lasso resigned amid a congressional investigation into allegations of corruption. Noboa was elected following a shortened but bloody campaign that saw one of his top rivals brazenly assassinated while campaigning.

“We can’t live in fear of leaving our homes,” Leonor Sandoval, a 39-year-old homemaker, said after voting for all 11 of the proposals.

A voter casts her ballot during referendum proposed by President Daniel Noboa to endorse new security measures aimed at cracking down on criminal gangs fueling escalating violence, in Olon, Ecuador, Sunday, April 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Cesar Munoz)

Voters line up at a polling station during referendum proposed by President Daniel Noboa to endorse new security measures aimed at cracking down on criminal gangs fueling escalating violence, in Olon, Ecuador, Sunday, April 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Cesar Munoz)

A soldier guars a pollen station during referendum proposed by President Daniel Noboa to endorse new security measures aimed at cracking down on criminal gangs fueling escalating violence, in Olon, Ecuador, Sunday, April 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Cesar Munoz)

Children stand by a voter marking questions on the ballot of a referendum proposed by President Daniel Noboa to endorse new security measures aimed at crack down on criminal gangs fueling escalating violence in Quito, Ecuador, Sunday, April 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

President Daniel Noboa arrives to vote in a referendum to endorse new security measures to crackdown on criminal gangs responsible for increasing violence, in Olon, Ecuador, Sunday, April 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Cesar Munoz)

A voter marks questions on the ballot of a referendum proposed by President Daniel Noboa to endorse new security measures aimed at crack down on criminal gangs fueling escalating violence in Quito, Ecuador, Sunday, April 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

Voters line up at a polling station during a referendum proposed by President Daniel Noboa to endorse new security measures aimed at cracking down on criminal gangs fueling escalating violence, in Quito, Ecuador, Sunday, April 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

An Air Force officer votes in a referendum proposed by President Daniel Noboa to endorse new security measures aimed at cracking down on criminal gangs fueling escalating violence, in Quito, Ecuador, Sunday, April 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

President Daniel Noboa casts his vote in a referendum to endorse new security measures to crackdown on criminal gangs responsible for increasing violence, in Olon, Ecuador, Sunday, April 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Cesar Munoz)

A woman holds the ballot to vote in a referendum proposed by President Daniel Noboa to endorse new security measures aimed at cracking down on criminal gangs fueling escalating violence, in Quito, Ecuador, Sunday, April 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

An Air Force soldier votes in a referendum proposed by President Daniel Noboa to endorse new security measures aimed at cracking down on criminal gangs fueling escalating violence, in Quito, Ecuador, Sunday, April 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

President Daniel Noboa holds the ballot during a referendum to endorse new security measures to crackdown on criminal gangs responsible for increasing violence, in Olon, Ecuador, Sunday, April 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Cesar Munoz)

Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa arrives to the National Electoral Council to officially open voting for a referendum seeking support for new security measures to combat rising violence in Quito, Ecuador, Sunday, April 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa arrives to the National Electoral Council to officially open voting for a referendum seeking support for new security measures to combat rising violence in Quito, Ecuador, Sunday, April 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

FILE - Ecuadorean President Daniel Noboa, front right, and U.S. Ambassador Michael Fitzpatrick, front left, attend a ceremony at Cotopaxi airport to receive a Hercules aircraft donated by the U.S. government for operational missions, in Latacunga, Ecuador, March 25, 2024. Ecuadorians head to the polls Sunday, April 21, 2024, in a referendum touted by Noboa as a way to crack down on criminal gangs behind a spiraling wave of violence. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa, File)

FILE - Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa waves as he arrives in Poalo, Ecuador, March 21, 2024. Ecuadorians head to the polls Sunday, April 21, 2024, in a referendum touted by Noboa as a way to crack down on criminal gangs behind a spiraling wave of violence. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa, File)

FILE - Soldiers stand on armored vehicles as they patrol the streets during a national state of emergency decreed by President Daniel Noboa to confront a wave of crime, in Portoviejo, Ecuador, Jan. 11, 2024. Ecuadorians head to the polls Sunday, April 21, 2024, in a referendum touted by Noboa as a way to crack down on criminal gangs behind a spiraling wave of violence. (AP Photo/Ariel Ochoa, File)

FILE - Soldiers on patrol frisk a man in the Carapungo neighborhood of Quito, Ecuador, Thursday, April 18, 2024. Ecuadorians will vote on Sunday, April 21, in a referendum proposed by President Daniel Noboa that seeks to crack down on criminal gangs behind a spiraling wave of violence. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa, File)

FILE - A resident stands with arms spread apart up against a wall as police search for weapons and or drugs, as part of an operation to combat criminal groups, in Guayaquil, Ecuador, April 4, 2024. Ecuadorians head to the polls Sunday, April 21, in a referendum touted by President Daniel Noboa as a way to crack down on criminal gangs behind a spiraling wave of violence. (AP Photo/Cesar Munoz, File)

FILE - A woman reports a robbery to soldiers patrolling in the Carapungo neighborhood of Quito, Ecuador, April 18, 2024. Ecuadorians will vote on Sunday, April 21, in a referendum proposed by President Daniel Noboa that seeks to crack down on criminal gangs behind a spiraling wave of violence. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa, File)

FILE - Ecuador President Daniel Noboa attends a ceremony to deliver equipment to police, at the Gral. Alberto Enriquez Gallo police school in Quito, Ecuador, Jan. 22, 2024. Ecuadorians head to the polls Sunday, April 21, 2024, in a referendum touted by Noboa as a way to crack down on criminal gangs behind a spiraling wave of violence. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa, File)

BALTIMORE (AP) — Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan drew the No. 5 post position in the Preakness on Monday looking to sweep the first two legs of horse racing’s Triple Crown, though he's not favored to do so.

Bob Baffert-trained Muth, just inside Mystik Dan in the No. 4 post, opened as the 8-5 morning line favorite Monday. Baffert, who was barred from the Derby because of Churchill Downs' ban on him that was extended, is also saddling No. 9 Imagination (6-1) as he goes for a record-extending ninth Preakness victory and second in a row after National Treasure won for him last year.

Mystik Dan is the 5-2 second choice in the nine-horse field for the 149th rendition of the 1 3/16-mile, $2 million second jewel of the Triple Crown on Saturday. Muth beat Mystik Dan the last time they raced against each other: March 30 in the Arkansas Derby.

“With all the success Bob Baffert has had in the Preakness and the name recognition he brings, as well, it all adds up to Muth being a pretty solid favorite,” Maryland Jockey Club linemaker Brian Nadeau said. “Mystik Dan was 18-1 in the Derby, and when a long shot wins, sometimes the betting public is a bit slow to come around or believe.”

Mystik Dan is one of three heading to Pimlico Race Course after running in the Derby, joined by Brad Cox's Catching Freedom (No. 3, 6-1), who finished fourth, and D. Wayne Lukas' Just Steel, who faded to 17th, and opened at 15-1 leaving from the No. 7 post.

Two-time Preakness-winning jockey Robby Albarado, who has been riding Mystik Dan in the mornings for trainer Kenny McPeek, was hoping for No. 4 because his victories in the race were from that post. The most recent of which came for McPeek with Swiss Skydiver in 2020, when he and the filly beat Baffert-trained Authentic.

But, all in all, Mystik Dan's camp was happy with how the draw went down.

"Perfect — couldn’t have asked for a better one," assistant trainer Ray Bryner said. “He’s right in the middle of nine horses. We have the favorite inside us. Muth better look out.”

It's the first time since 2012 that the Derby winner did not open as the Preakness favorite.

“It takes the pressure off,” Albarado said. “No pressure not being the favorite.”

McPeek is hoping Mystik Dan can be the first horse since Baffert's Justify in 2018 to win the Derby and Preakness.

“There is hope,” post-position draw emcee Britney Eurton said. “There is hope of a Triple Crown.”

McPeek had not committed to bringing him back on a two-week turnaround until Saturday, when he was satisfied the colt bounced back well from his run to win by a nose over Sierra Leone and Forever Young in the closest Derby finish in half a century.

“He came back from the Derby just fine,” Bryner said. “The first day, a little tired, just a little quiet, but that’s normal. ... You go out and go run a marathon tomorrow and see how you feel the next day. You’re going to need a day or two to rest up. He’s done everything. He’s checked every box.”

Jockey Brian Hernandez Jr., whose elite ride got the job done May 4 in the Derby, will again be aboard Mystik Dan. Also running in the Preakness are Lukas' Seize the Grey (No. 6, 15-1), No. 2 Uncle Heavy (20-1), No. 8 Tuscan Gold (8-1) and No. 5 Mugatu (20-1).

AP horse racing: https://apnews.com/hub/horse-racing

Brian Hernandez Jr. celebrates after riding Mystik Dan to win the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 4, 2024, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)