QUITO: Against escalating violence, Ecuador’s capital witnessed an increased military presence as President Daniel Noboa declared a state of “internal armed conflict.”
The country faces a deepening crisis as criminal gangs and the government engage in open hostilities. This volatile situation stems from the government’s crackdown on drug cartels using Ecuador’s ports for cocaine trafficking.
Recent attacks, including a TV studio assault and threats of random executions, prompted Noboa to order the “neutralization” of criminal gangs.
In response, the gangs declared war on the government, aggravating an already tense atmosphere. With citizens gripped by fear, Ecuador confronts a multifaceted crisis involving violence, prison riots, and a high-stakes struggle for control.
