Quito, June 17: Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa has declared a state of emergency for 60 days across ten provinces and three municipalities due to escalating criminal violence. This decision comes in response to severe internal unrest affecting the nation.
According to Xinhua News Agency, the government order temporarily suspends legal protections related to home searches and correspondence privacy in coastal provinces such as Guayas, Manabí, Santa Elena, Los Ríos, El Oro, and Esmeraldas.
The regulations also apply to Pichincha (the north-central province that includes the capital, Quito), Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, the northern Amazon province of Sucumbíos, and the southern province of Azuay. Additionally, the municipalities of La Mana in Cotopaxi province, Las Neves in Bolívar province, and La Troncal in Cañar province are included in this order.
The order issued by President Noboa allows security forces to conduct searches immediately if there are indications that members of organized armed groups or criminal organizations are hiding within properties, or if there is suspicion of weapons, ammunition, explosives, or other restricted items.
This directive grants authorities the power to identify, analyze, and gather necessary information to prevent or neutralize threats. It also authorizes the temporary seizure of illegal goods and services essential for maintaining security operations.
Ecuador has recently witnessed a significant increase in violent incidents linked to organized armed groups and criminal organizations, including armed attacks and criminal activities. The order highlights ongoing social unrest fueled by murder, extortion, kidnapping, robbery, and drug trafficking, which are disrupting normal economic activities. To alleviate public fear, the intervention of armed forces through special measures is deemed necessary.
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