At least 10 people, including two police officers, have died so far in the wave of violence unleashed by criminal organizations in Ecuadorlocal media reported.
The president of Ecuador, Daniel Noboaissued a decree declaring the existence of an internal armed conflict at the national level and ordering the military forces to act to dismantle 22 transnational organized crime groups that it has declared terrorist organizations and belligerent non-state actors.
In a message published today on its According to the Police, they have arrested 70 people, released three of their agents taken hostage and recaptured 17 escaped prisoners, in addition to having seized weapons, ammunition, explosives and vehicles.
The events that occurred in the South American country have generated various reactions from other governments around the world.
Peru announces State of Emergency on the border
Peru announced on Tuesday that it will declare in state of emergency the common border with Ecuador so that the military can help the police, after a series of violent acts in the neighboring country, the assault by a group of armed hooded men on a television channel while it was broadcasting live and the alleged escape of two leaders criminals linked to drug trafficking.
Peruvian Prime Minister Alberto Otárola told reporters that the president Dina Boluarte He had ordered the trip to the border with Ecuador of the Ministers of Defense and Interior, as well as the sending of police officers to help improve control of transit through border posts.
Both countries have a total common border of 1,529 kilometers, most of it in inaccessible areas of the Amazon.
France asks citizens to postpone their trips to Ecuador
French diplomatic authorities recommended their citizens postpone any planned trips to Ecuador in the face of the wave of violence affecting the country that has led the president, Daniel Noboa, to decree a state of emergency.
“French people who are considering traveling to Ecuador in the coming days are invited to delay their projects as much as possible.””, indicates the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs in updating the recommendations to travelers on its website.
Paris remembers there the disturbances registered in the last hours and the “risks of attempted destabilization of institutions by criminal gangs”, which have led to decreeing a state of emergency for 60 days.
Spain condemns violent acts in Ecuador and calls for caution
The Embassy of Spain In Ecuador, it has published a note in which it condemns “the violent acts of recent days committed by criminal groups”, supports the country’s democratic institutions to restore order and recommends that Spanish citizens exercise extreme caution.
“We condemn the violent acts of recent days committed by criminal groups and we stand in solidarity with the victims. “We support the democratic institutions of Ecuador to restore normality in the lives of our brother Ecuadorian people.”states the Spanish Embassy through its account on the social network X (formerly Twitter).
The institution recalls that the Ecuadorian Government has declared a state of emergency, has recognized the existence of an internal armed conflict and ordered the deployment of the Armed Forces to fight the current situation of insecurity.
“In this situation,” the embassy recommends that Spanish citizens “exercise caution, limiting movements as much as possible” and “remain attentive to news and security recommendations from the authorities.”
China asks for protection for its citizens
China today expressed its support for the Government of Ecuador in its effort to restore social order after the increase in violence in the South American country and He asked that the security of its citizens and entities in that nation be guaranteed.
The spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mao Ning declared today at a press conference that China “closely follows the evolution of events in Ecuador” and that it hopes the country “returns to normality as soon as possible.”
The spokesperson expressed confidence that the Ecuadorian Government “takes effective measures” to “protect the lives and property of Chinese citizens and companies” in Ecuador.
The Chinese embassy in Ecuador announced in the last few hours on its official account on the social network Wechat the suspension of its service to the public from January 10 until further notice and confirmed that, at the moment, no security incidents that affect to companies or citizens of the Asian country.
Uruguay ensures the prompt restoration of internal order
The government of Uruguay This Wednesday he expressed his solidarity with the authorities of Ecuador “in the face of the situation of internal insecurity derived from acts of violence caused by organized crime groups in several cities in the country, in defiance of public order and the rule of law.”
“Uruguay ensures the prompt reestablishment of internal order within the strict framework of the current institutions that allows the recovery of citizen coexistence and the full restitution of individual rights and freedoms”highlights a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
On the other hand, he points out that the Embassy of that country in Ecuador is closely following the development of events and is “alert and available” to the Uruguayans who are there.
Russia stands in solidarity with the Ecuadorian Government
Russia expressed solidarity today with the Government and people of Ecuador, and condemned the terrorist methods used by criminal structures that seek to destabilize the internal political situation in the Latin American country.
“We express our solidarity with the Government and people of Ecuador, who face a sharp increase in the activities of criminal structures aimed at destabilizing the internal political situation”stated the spokesperson for Russian diplomacy, Maria Zajárova.
In a statement published on the website of the Russian Foreign Ministry, the diplomat stressed that Moscow “strongly condemns the terrorist methods used by armed groups, including the taking of hostages.”
“We hope that the Ecuadorian authorities will be able to put up an effective barrier against the unleashed criminal elements and that with their own forces, without external interference, they will regain control of the situation and restore calm and order,” he added.
The spokesperson offered her condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to those injured during the criminal attacks.
The United States expressed its support
Ambassador Brian Nichols, Undersecretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs of the State Department of USA, He spoke about what happened in Ecuador through the social network X, formerly known as Twitter.
“Extremely concerned about the violence and kidnappings today in Ecuador”he wrote in a message in which he stated that the United States, in support of the Ecuadorian people, “We are ready to provide assistance to the Ecuadorian government.”
The senior US government official also confirmed that they remain “in close contact” with President Noboa’s team.
Bolivia repudiates acts of violence in Ecuador
And from BoliviaPresident Luis Arce published a message in “It is going through a critical security situation and the fight against crime.”
Likewise, he insisted that “It is urgent to work on the regionalization of the fight against drug trafficking and other illicit activities, as well as the creation of supranational organizations such as the Latin American Anti-Narcotics Alliance”, a proposal that, according to what he indicated, Bolivia has already raised in various international meetings.
Source: Gestion
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