Daniel Noboa, President of Ecuador Rodrigo Buendia/AFP
The President of Ecuador, Daniel Noboa, stated on Friday (12) that the violence in Ecuador concerns the whole world. In recent days, the government declared a “state of internal armed conflict” due to the security crisis facing the country. At least ten people have been killed so far. “It is encouraging to see that the international community is paying attention to what is happening here because it affects the whole world,” Noboa said in a video posted on social media.
“The drug terrorists who operate in Ecuador also operate in Europe and the United States. I think we need to solve the problem at the root, and the root of the problem is here,” he added.
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Noboa also said Ecuadorians were concerned about violence in the country. “We have already received 500 threats but we cannot stop. We must win this war against terrorism,” he added.
On Friday (12), the Director General of the Federal Police, Andrei Rodrigues, offered Ecuador assistance in the field of intelligence, with training in investigations, technology to track and seize assets and financial resources of criminal organizations, and equipment to identify inmates.
The wave of violence in Ecuador began after the leader of the largest local criminal group escaped from prison. The leader of the Los Choneros group, José Adolfo Macias, disappeared from the prison where he was being held. Nicknamed Fito, he was sentenced to 34 years in prison in 2011 for various crimes, including drug trafficking and murder.
During the wave of violence, a local television station was attacked by gunmen and employees were taken hostage. In addition, the owner of a steakhouse in the country, Brazilian Thiago Allan Freitas, was kidnapped and criminals are demanding $3,000 for his release. Shops in the capitals Quito and Guayaquil closed their doors and school classes were suspended across the country.
Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MRE) said it was following the violence in Ecuador “with concern.” The ministry also said it “condemns the violent actions of organized criminal groups and expresses solidarity with the Ecuadorian government and people in light of the attacks.”