Ecuador declares emergency over drug gang violence

ECUADOR has declared a state of emergency because of a surge in crime linked to drug trafficking.

Guillermo Lasso, the president. announced a 60-day crackdown, including curfews and the deployment of thousands of security forces, in three of the country’s 24 provinces.

Violent deaths and crimes allegedly connected to drug trafficking are up this year in several provinces where police operations have captured alleged gang members.

“Through an executive decree I have declared a state of emergency in the provinces of Guayas, Manabi and Esmeraldas effective from midnight tonight,” Mr Lasso said in a video posted to his social media. “We protect life in every decision we take, in every corner of our country until all those who are violent have surrendered.”

More than 4,000 police and 5,000 military personnel will patrol during the 60 days, while certain neighbourhoods will have curfews from 11pm until 5am. Drug trafficking has left 1,255 dead since the start of the year, according to official figures.