Ecuador experienced a day of terror on Tuesday, with several deaths in various violent actsincluding the temporary takeover of the channel TC television in Guayaquil, vehicles were set on fire and threats were made against universities, state institutions and companies.

The incidents began shortly after the operations at the regional prison, located on the road to Daule, in search of José Adolfo Macías, alias ‘Fito’, leader of ‘Los Choneros’considered one of the country’s most dangerous criminal gangs due to their alleged ties to Mexican cartels, and which apparently escaped this weekend.

From Brazil to Russia, via the United States and France, Latin American countries and world powers expressed concern about the situation in the country, which declared itself in an “internal armed conflict” after the recent bout of drug violence.

President Daniel Noboa declared a 60-day state of emergency for the entire country on Monday. But a day later, given the escalation of violence, he declared the existence of a “internal armed conflict” in the country, which implies the immediate mobilization and intervention of security forces against organized crime.

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The judge orders preventive detention for the two teenagers involved in an armed attack on TC Televisión

Mercosur

Mercosur member states have strongly condemned the acts of violence committed by organized crime in Ecuador, according to a statement released by Brazil’s Foreign Ministry on Wednesday.

The statement expresses the solidarity of the Mercosur countries (Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay) with the government of Ecuador and their “unrestricted support for the democratic institutions of that country, within the framework of respect for human rights.”

Reinforcements at the borders with Peru and Colombia

Peru sent more than half a thousand police and military personnel along the 1,400 kilometer long border area with Ecuador. Authorities will also strengthen surveillance with helicopters and drones.

Colombia has also militarily fortified its border with Ecuador by deploying a “broad apparatus” to prevent the passage of fugitives and criminals. On network

USA

The United States is willing to work with Ecuador to “address the violence,” White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said. Earlier, Washington said it was “extremely concerned” and condemned the “blatant attacks” of drug violence in the South American country.

European Union

The European Union’s head of diplomacy, Josep Borrell, denounced the crisis of violence in Ecuador as a “direct attack on democracy” in that country. “The EU stands with the Ecuadorian people and their democratic institutions, and expresses solidarity with the victims,” he added.

United Nations

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is “deeply concerned” by the “internal armed conflict” in Ecuador. His spokesman, Stéphane Dujarric, said Guterres strongly condemned “these criminal acts of violence” in recent days.

Russia

Russia expressed its “solidarity” with Ecuador, facing a “sharp increase in the activities of criminal organizations aimed at destabilizing the internal political situation,” Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zajárova said.

Brazil

Brazil “condemns the violent actions of organized criminal groups in several cities in Ecuador” and “expresses solidarity with the government” of current President Daniel Noboa, a Brazilian Foreign Ministry statement said.

Spain

Spain is following the recent events in Ecuador with “logical concern”, according to the President of the Spanish government, Pedro Sánchez. “We trust that normality will be quickly restored” in the South American country that “we support,” Sánchez added at an event with Spanish ambassadors in Madrid.

France

France advised its citizens who want to travel to Ecuador to postpone their plans due to the crisis. “Under these circumstances, French citizens who plan to travel to Ecuador in the coming days are advised to postpone their plans as much as possible,” French diplomacy advises on its website.

China

China expressed support for Ecuador’s government as it suspended public service at its embassy in Quito and its consulate in Guayaquil from January 10. Their openings will be announced “in a timely manner,” the embassy said in a message on the social network WeChat.

Venezuela

Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro has “definitively” rejected drug violence in Ecuador. “I trust in the speedy restoration of order and in the timely administration of justice against the intellectual and material authors of these unacceptable terrorist acts,” he wrote in X.

Dominican Republic

The President of the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader, in his to preserve. Ecuador.” (JO)