José Serrano (Ecuadorian politician)

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Serrano and the second or maternal family name is Salgado.

José Serrano
3rd President of the National Assembly
In office 14 May 2017 – 9 March 2018
Preceded by	Gabriela Rivadeneira
Succeeded by	Elizabeth Cabezas
Minister of the Interior
In office 13 May 2011 – 15 November 2016
President	Rafael Correa
Preceded by	Alfredo Vera Arrata
Succeeded by	Diego Fuentes
Minister of Justice, Human Rights and Religious Affairs
In office 5 April 2010 – 13 May 2011
President	Rafael Correa
Preceded by	Nestór Arbito
Succeeded by	Johana Pesántez
Personal details
Born	(1970-11-19) 19 November 1970 Cuenca, Ecuador
Alma mater	Universidad San Francisco de Quito Universidad del Azuay

José Serrano Salgado (born 19 November 1970) is an Ecuadorian politician. He was President of the National Assembly between 14 May 2017 and 9 March 2018. He was Minister of the Interior from 13 May 2011 to 15 November 2016. He previously held other cabinet posts.

Personal life

José Serrano, born on November 19, 1970, in Cuenca, Ecuador He is a politician with a long career in the public sector. is a prominent political figure and human rights advocate. Raised in a family of lawyers, he is the seventh generation in his family to follow the legal profession, instilling in him a deep sense of justice, security, and human rights. Serving as Ecuador’s Interior Minister from 2012 to 2016,Serrano led significant security reforms, which resulted in a drastic reduction of the homicide rate in Ecuador, from 20 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2010 to just 5 per 100,000 by the end of 2016. This success was driven by his emphasis on community policing, improved law enforcement training, and a major investment in security infrastructure. His leadership in Ecuador's security sector earned him recognition, including the prestigious Drug Enforcement Administration recognition in 2016, for his vital contributions to the fight against international drug trafficking.

In 2024, Serrano sought to expand his impact on Ecuador’s future by running for president, presenting a vision for a stronger, safer, and more just country. However, his candidacy was tragically cut short due to threats to his life, forcing him to step back from the race. Despite this, Serrano remains a resilient figure in Ecuadorian politics, admired for his courage.

Education

José Serrano holds a Master's degree in Social Intervention in Knowledge Societies from the University of La Rioja, a post-graduate degree in Project Management from the Universidad San Francisco de Quito, and an MBA from the European Business School. He also earned a Doctorate in Jurisprudence and Law from the University of Azuay. In addition to his formal education, Serrano has attended several certification programs and seminars, enriching his expertise in governance, security, law, and public administration.

He has also authored two books, contributing to the academic and professional discussions on law, justice, and social transformation.

Political career

José Serrano’s career reflects his commitment to human rights and transformative political leadership in Ecuador. As a lawyer and human rights advocate, he began his work early in defending marginalized communities, notably assisting the Amazon Indigenous community through the Center for the Study and Documentation of the Sarayaku People (CEDES). This work exposed him to significant risks, including being kidnapped and threatened for his efforts to defend vulnerable populations.

José Serrano’s work as a lawyer for the Sarayaku Indigenous community exemplifies his dedication to human rights advocacy. While defending the community against oil exploitation and territorial violations, he faced serious threats, including an attack on April 23, 2004, by armed men who warned him to stop his legal efforts. These efforts were instrumental in bringing the Sarayaku case to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, which ultimately ruled in favor of the Sarayaku, affirming their rights to land sovereignty and consultation. Serrano's early advocacy established his legacy as a steadfast defender of marginalized communities. (footnote 125, IACHR ruling on Sarayaku).

Serrano’s political journey began in June 2005 when he was appointed Minister of Labour and Employment under President Alfredo Palacio. He succeeded in passing a reform of Ecuador's labor laws through a tripartite negotiation process involving workers, employers, and the parliament. He held the position until August 2006 and later served as Minister of Finance in December 2006. Under President Rafael Correa, he became Subsecretary of Mines in the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum from September 2007 to August 2009. Serrano played a significant role in Ecuador's mining sector, including engaging with Colombia on regional issues such as corruption, leading to the implementation of the Plan Andino, a counter-corruption initiative Andean Community of Nations.

In November 2009, Serrano was appointed Secretary of Transparent Management, where he continued to focus on anti-corruption initiatives. During his tenure, he worked on strengthening regional cooperation within the Andean Community of Nations, achieving success in his efforts to promote transparency and accountability. His most influential role came as Minister of Justice, Human Rights, and Religious Affairs from April 2010 to May 2011. Serrano was instrumental in passing the landmark Comprehensive Organic Law for the Prevention and Eradication of Gender Violence against Women, one of Ecuador's most important reforms in recent years. Despite facing criticism for his stance on restricting certain aspects of the indigenous justice system, Serrano’s leadership remained focused on strengthening the country’s legal framework to protect vulnerable communities.

Serrano’s tenure as Minister of the Interior, from 2011 to 2016, is widely recognized for his reforms in the security sector. Under his leadership, crime rates dropped significantly—from approximately 20% to 5.5%—and cities like Quito and Guayaquil became some of the safest in Latin America. Serrano’s efforts to reform Ecuador’s police force included dismantling its militarized command structure and creating a more human rights-oriented approach to law enforcement, which helped to professionalize and humanize the police force.

In November 2013, Serrano briefly resumed his position as Minister of Justice, Human Rights, and Religious Affairs after the resignation of Minister Lenin Lara. During this time, he continued advocating for human rights and legal reforms.

In 2016, Serrano resigned as Minister of the Interior to become the lead candidate for the PAIS Alliance in the 2017 Ecuadorian general election. He was elected as the most voted member of the National Assembly in 2014 and became its president in May 2017. Despite these challenges, Serrano maintained that his actions always upheld the principles of transparency and integrity. He also served as alternate president of the Latin American and Caribbean Parliament (Parlatino) between 2019 and 2021 while serving as a congressman.

In 2024, Serrano registered as a pre-candidate for the presidency in the 2025 Ecuadorian general election. However, he withdrew his candidacy a month later due to serious threats against his life. These threats, which included warnings of armed attacks if he returned to Ecuador, stemmed from his efforts to combat corruption and promote human rights. Despite requesting security guarantees from both the President and the National Electoral Council, Serrano did not receive a response, leading him to step down from the race to ensure the safety of his family.

Throughout his political career, Serrano’s work has been defined by his advocacy for human rights, his efforts to combat corruption, and his focus on the security and welfare of Ecuador’s citizens. His leadership has contributed significantly to transforming Ecuador’s legal, police, and human rights systems, making lasting impacts on the country’s development and social justice.

Decorations

On June 6, 2016, José Serrano, Ecuador's Interior Minister, was honored by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in Washington for his leadership in the national and international fight against drug trafficking. The DEA recognized the significant progress made by Ecuador's Antinarcotics Police, including a 191% increase in drug seizures over the past six and a half years compared to the previous decade. The country had seized 332 metric tons of narcotics since 2010, dismantled 305 criminal drug organizations, and made substantial progress in curbing trafficking activities. Serrano emphasized the importance of protecting vulnerable communities, such as artisanal fishermen, to prevent their exploitation by drug traffickers.

In September 2016, José Serrano was honored with the Gold Medal of the Castellón Local Police in Spain for his substantial contributions to community security and for promoting international collaboration in law enforcement. The award recognized his leadership in implementing Ecuador’s community policing model and facilitating a bilateral agreement between Ecuador and Spain. This agreement enabled the exchange of expertise in public safety, criminology, policy development, and law enforcement training, emphasizing Serrano’s dedication to transformative security measures and fostering global cooperation.

On November 18, 2016, José Serrano, Ecuador's former Minister of the Interior, was awarded the Gran Cruz del Orden y Seguridad by the Ecuadorian National Police in recognition of his transformative leadership in the police force. Serrano’s tenure focused on modernizing the police, creating specialized crime units, and investing heavily in infrastructure and technology, with over $800 million allocated to improve the nation's security. These efforts led to a significant reduction in the homicide rate, dropping from 20 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2010 to just 5 by 2016. The award highlighted his role in rebuilding trust with the Ecuadorian public while enhancing security through human rights-based policing practices. This recognition is a testament to his commitment to security during his time in office.

On December 6, 2014, José Serrano was awarded the "María Verónica Cordovez" Merit Award by the Municipality of the Metropolitan District of Quito "for his exceptional services in internal security" for the benefit of the inhabitants of the capital of the Republic. The award, presented during the 480th-anniversary celebrations of Quito’s foundation, was given in recognition of his efforts to improve safety and public security for the capital's inhabitants. The formal session took place at the Sucre Theater, where Mayor Mauricio Rodas and President Rafael Correa acknowledged Serrano’s work in promoting security and human rights in Ecuador. Serrano expressed that the recognition was not only for him but as an encouragement for all to work towards making Ecuador one of the safest countries globally. .