Ministry of Foreign Affairs Opens Hotline for Mexicans in Ecuador Facing Violence

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced what Mexicans in Ecuador who feel in danger should do (Stringer/dpa/INTERNATIONAL POLITICS)

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE), through the Mexican embassy in Ecuador, opened a hotline for fellow citizens who are in the South American nation and have an emergency due to the increase in violence in recent hours.

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Through a publication on social networks, the agency recommended that Mexicans who are visiting or who have residence only inform themselves through official accounts. In addition, he recalled that the embassy’s telephone line is available 24 hours a day.

The number that compatriots must dial in case of doubts, emergencies or any other setback is +593 99 494 0153. This information was reiterated by the general director of Consular Protection and Strategic Planning of the SRE, Vanessa Calva Ruiz.

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“@EmbaMexEcu recommends that the Mexican Community stay informed through the official accounts and is reminded that, in case of emergency, the Embassy telephone number for the Protection of Mexicans is available 24 hours a day: +593 99 494 0153” , was the message that could be read on X, formerly Twitter.

The SRE opened a hotline for Mexicans in Ecuador (X/@EmbaMexEcu)

Regarding the official accounts to obtain information, the SRE recommended frequently visiting the account of the Foreign Ministry of Ecuadoras well as the Risk Management Secretariat and of the presidency.

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They also remembered what the current restrictions that Ecuador has are:

• State of emergency for 60 days—from January 8 to March 7, 2024.
• Freedom of movement is restricted from 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. (local time).
• The right to assembly of people is limited, consisting of preventing and dismantling meetings in public spaces where possible threats to public order and citizen safety are identified.
• The mobilization of the National Police and the Armed Forces is provided throughout Ecuadorian territory and in the deprivation of liberty centers and their surroundings, within a radius of one kilometer.

“Likewise, the convenience of registering or updating the information provided in the Registration System for Mexicans Abroad (SIRME) is reiterated, which has the purpose of facilitating communication with the Government of Mexico in order to receive timely information that allows avoiding find themselves in adverse conditions when traveling or residing abroad,” the official statement read.

The SRE reminded Mexicans in Ecuador what the restrictions are in the South American nation after the outbreak of violence (SRE)

Chaos and violence have increased in the South American country, after the federal administration led by President Daniel Noboa admitted that they do not know the whereabouts of Adolfo Macías Villamar, alias Fito, alleged leader of Los Choneros, in addition to the fact that days ago it was reported the arrest of Fabricio Colón Pico, one of the alleged leaders of Los Lobos, but he also fled.

Despite the above, the Ecuadorian situation transcended borders after on Tuesday, January 9, an armed gang took over the facilities of the TC channel, where they kidnapped employees and police officers while everything was being recorded.

According to what could be seen, the journalists and media workers were threatened with weapons and explosives by a series of hooded men or with face masks—with which they intended to hide their identity.

It took almost two hours for the Guayaquil police to regain control of the building and arrest some of the gang members. It was later reported that 13 people were detained, who were allegedly part of the Los Tiguerones gang.

People accused of invading and taking over the TC television channel with weapons and forcing the staff to lie down and sit, lie handcuffed on the floor in a police shelter facility, in Guayaquil (Ecuadorean Police/Handout via REUTERS)

However, it was not the only violent event that was witnessed, since it was announced that a similar situation occurred at the University of Guayaquil (UG), although in a statement the educational entity stated that “no event has occurred within the facilities” and that it was just a “small stampede” generated by the desperation of the students to get out quickly.

Given this panorama, the Ministry of Education announced there would be non-face-to-face classes until Friday, January 12 throughout the National Educational System, which includes private and public schools, while the UG suspended all activities in any of its facilities.

President Daniel Noboa decreed the existence of “an internal armed conflict” and ordered the Armed Forces of Ecuador to carry out actions to restore peace, because in various parts of the country there were car explosions, attacks with explosives, kidnappings. of police, as well as retention of agents in prisons.

Prior to this, on Monday, January 8, he declared a state of emergency and declared that he would not negotiate with terrorists.

2024-01-10 00:03:02
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