1 of 1 Army tanks on a street in Quito, Ecuador Photo: Rodrigo BUENDIA / AFP Army tanks on a street in Quito, Ecuador Photo: Rodrigo BUENDIA / AFP
Mercosur member countries published on Wednesday (10) a joint note condemning the violent acts committed by criminal organizations in Ecuador.
Ecuador is experiencing a security crisis that began with prison riots. There were attempts by criminals to escape, attacks on police stations and kidnappings of police officers.
On Tuesday (9) armed men broke into a television studio and the action was broadcast live. Afterwards, President Daniel Noboa issued a decree declaring that the country was in an internal armed conflict.
Invasions, explosions and kidnappings were also recorded in cities across the country on Tuesday. The Ecuadorian press states that eleven people died in the city of Guayaquil and two people died in the city of Nobol.
“The States Parties to MERCOSUR strongly condemn the acts of violence committed by groups linked to transnational organized crime that affect the internal security of the Republic of Ecuador,” the bloc’s statement said.
In the statement, Mercosul a group founded by Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay also expressed solidarity “with the people and government of Ecuador.”
“Like this [o grupo expressa] its full support for the democratic institutions of this country within the framework of respect for human rights,” the statement concludes.