Ecuador’s President Guillermo Lasso declared a state of emergency in Esmeraldas on Friday in an effort to stem the wave of violence perpetrated by armed criminal groups that the province is facing.
In a statement, Lasso has based the measure detailed that, during the last months, »an increase» in the levels of organized crime has been evidenced that would have generated »important escalations of violence that require the particular attention of the State, through extraordinary mechanisms», reported ‘El Comercio’.
The measure, which restricts the rights to freedom of transit, association, assembly, inviolability of domicile, will be in force from 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. for 60 days starting this Friday, March 3, 2023.
The Government expects with this measure to safeguard internal security, in order to prevent violent events and protect the life and physical integrity of the citizens.
During the months of January and February 2023, the province of Esmeraldas has been the scene of homicides, murders and hired killings, «making it one of the provinces with the highest levels of insecurity in Ecuador», according to the Ecuadorian president.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
