Relevance of Codes of Coexistence in the Face of Systematic Violence and the Narco-State in Ecuador: An Exploratory-Descriptive Study

Abstract

This study analyzes the impact of the guidelines of the Organic Law of Intercultural Education (LOEI) on the creation of safe environments within Ecuador, a country characterized by systematic violence and its status as a narco-state. Through descriptive research with a qualitative approach, the study examines the gap between legal regulations and the reality on the ground. It contrasts the regulatory framework of the LOEI and the 2008 Constitution with the security crisis stemming from the infiltration of transnational organized crime. Preliminary findings from this exploratory phase indicate that, while the LOEI seeks to guarantee the right to education, current codes of conduct lack tactical protocols for addressing criminal co-optation, thus requiring an update in the crisis management skills of teaching staff. The results suggest that current regulations exhibit a tactical disconnect with the "narco-state" environment, necessitating a reform that prioritizes human security and institutional resilience over administrative formality. Consequently, there is a need to strengthen prevention, comprehensive protection and educational response to scenarios of threat, violence and community vulnerability, with a territorial and inter-institutional approach.