Necro politics in Ecuador during the COVID-19 Health Emergency

Abstract

This study analyzed the governmental decisions adopted in Ecuador during the COVID-19 pandemic, aiming to understand the perceived effects on human rights, social justice, and compliance with national and international normative frameworks. A mixed-methods approach was applied, combining surveys and interviews, which allowed the contrast of citizens’ perceptions with the experiences of directly affected actors. Findings suggested that the government prioritized economic and political interests over life and health, reflected in corruption in the procurement of medical supplies, preferential vaccination, budget cuts in health and education, and opacity in reporting infections and deaths. The public health system exhibited structural fragility, limited epidemiological surveillance capacity, and a mortuary collapse that revealed the magnitude of the crisis. Quantitative results indicated that 76.7% of respondents perceived violations of human rights, particularly the right to health (83.3%), a dignified death (66.7%), and life (53.3%). Interviews confirmed a disproportionate impact on vulnerable populations — homeless people, migrants, and informal workers — exacerbating pre-existing inequalities. The analysis identified indications of necropolitical practices associated with the normalization of the state of exception and the subordination of life to neoliberal interests. Based on these results, preliminary guidelines were proposed to strengthen transparency, epidemiological surveillance, and the protection of human rights in future emergencies.