The Government Palace, headquarters of the Executive, located in the historic center of Quito, Ecuador, woke up with a strong military guard. This at a time when the country is facing an onslaught of violence attributed to organized crime groups. The Government classifies them as terrorists.
Some 700 soldiers and around 400 police, according to local press reports, guard the area of the historic center of Quito, capital of Ecuador. The Vice Presidency, the Mayor’s Office and other official bodies are also located in that area.
Read also: Ecuador declares internal armed conflict due to the wave of violence
Quito woke up without the usual rhythm due to the Ministry of Education’s willingness to carry out activities in virtual mode.
Teleworking arranged for several public institutions, as well as private ones, has considerably reduced circulation in cities that, like Quito, wake up with little vehicle traffic.
There is also little citizen movement in the Quito Metro stations, which remains operational with police surveillance, but not military, as happened on Tuesday.
This is the atmosphere outside the Carondelet Palace while a meeting between the President and the diplomatic corps takes place. There are 700 soldiers in the area who are part of the presidential protection corps. The center of Quito dawns controlled by the Armed Forces. pic.twitter.com/2BXLYV8Z3f
— La Posta (@LaPosta_Ecu) January 10, 2024
However, the Metro’s own security, which was inaugurated on December 1, 2023, is maintained with its surveillance cameras and specific control of suspicious packages.
According to Quito Metro sources, the reduction in users of that means of transportation early in the day was notable. This despite the fact that normal operation was maintained with its fifteen stations.
The Mayor’s Office of Quito has resumed the “peak and plate” system of traffic restriction depending on the last number of the vehicles’ license plate, which was suspended on Tuesday afternoon due to the emergency situation.
In Ecuador they are clear about what patriotism is. The supermarkets in Guayaquil are giving free food to the military, they applaud them and respect them.
President Daniel Noboa, criminals are beasts, they do not understand dialogue.
Exterminate that narcoterrorist plague. pic.twitter.com/40NufNRdFK
— John Nicolas Vizcaya (@JuanNicolasVizc) January 10, 2024
The Police reported an alert received Tuesday night about a “threat” at a gas station. “A burned vehicle with two gas cylinders inside” was found.
Security forces immediately responded to the scene and the cylinders were removed without any damage or victims being reported.
In addition, they removed “an alleged explosive device without causing damage or victims in Yacupugro and Libertadores. After the rapid intervention of specialized units,” the National Police indicated on their social networks.
These two dolls decided to go out disguised in the middle of the civil war in Ecuador pic.twitter.com/OulY6FvNfA
— Pizarrista (@Pizarrista14) January 10, 2024
On the other hand, services at the “Mariscal Sucre” international airport are maintained with restricted passage. This is only for travelers.
Access to the airport has been reinforced and agents control the passage of vehicles using mirrors with which they check the underside of the cars, to prevent possible explosions.
The coastal city of Guayaquil (southwest), considered the economic hub of Ecuador, also woke up with little movement and little influx of people at the transport stations.
