Ecuador Backtracks on Criminal Justice Reforms, Increases Penalties for Drug Selling

QUITO, ECUADOR — In a disappointing move, Ecuador increased penalties for small-scale drug sellers yesterday, reversing reforms approved last year that differentiated between possession of small amounts of drugs and larger quantities with intent to sell, where there had previously been no differentiation. However, yesterday the National Assembly voted to modify the criminal code and toughen penalties once again.

The vote took place after Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa said that small-scale sellers (or “microtraffickers”) were…