Quito. Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa on Thursday decreed the establishment of a targeted curfew in 20 cantons in the provinces of Azuay, Guayas, Los Ríos and Orellana due to insecurity in those territories.
The measure establishes a ban on mobility between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. (local time) and will come into effect tonight.
To make his decision official, the president modified Executive Decree 318, of July 2, with which he declared a state of emergency in the provinces although it did not establish a curfew.
The regulations come into effect one day before the national holiday for the First Cry of Independence, when hundreds of Ecuadorians prepare to travel around the country.
According to data from the Ministry of the Interior, from January to July 2024 there were 3,612 intentional homicides throughout the country, or about 17 murders per day.
In Ecuador, in addition to the aforementioned provinces, two others (Manabí and Santa Elena) are under a state of emergency and, in addition, an internal armed conflict has been declared in force since January, a provision with which Noboa seeks to curb insecurity and organized crime.
The Executive assures that the number of violent deaths has decreased with these measures, but crimes persist, as evidenced by the new declaration of a curfew in certain areas.
The persistence of the security crisis is the main reason why Interior Minister Mónica Palencia will be impeached in the National Assembly (parliament).
However, on Thursday morning, Noboa posted a video on social media in which he defended his cabinet official and accused the legislature of trying to censor “the woman who leads the fight against terrorism.”
#Noboa #orders #curfew #cantons #provinces #Ecuador
– 2024-08-11 09:07:58
