Ecuador officials confirm a new state of emergency as violence skyrockets in major cities, with President Noboa deploying 3,000 troops to patrol streets and prisons.
- Ecuador is deploying 3,000 soldiers to combat a rapid rise in gang violence and prison riots, marking the second national security emergency in six months under President Daniel Noboa.
- The decree targets 40 organized crime groups as "terrorists," giving police and military sweeping powers to search, detain, and intercept communications without a warrant.
- Key epicenters include Guayaquil and Esmeraldas, where car bombs and attacks on police stations have surged since November, disrupting daily life and tourism.
- This crackdown follows a failed prison escape attempt by a top cartel leader, prompting fears of a repeat of January’s deadly prison riots that left over 400 guards hostage.
- International observers warn that while popular with locals tired of crime, the extended military rule risks human rights abuses and does not address root causes like poverty and corruption.