Ecuador has declared a state of emergency in seven of its 24 provinces, including the capital Quito, on the eve of the day of the country's presidential runoff election. Authorities said the measures were necessary due to a dramatic increase in violence linked to drug cartels, Agence France-Presse reported, quoted by BTA.
The state of emergency, which is set to last 60 days, took effect on Saturday, just a day before the second round of the presidential election.
Incumbent President Daniel Noboa is facing leftist challenger Luisa Gonzalez amid violence that has gripped the country. Since the beginning of the year, an average of one murder has been committed in Ecuador every hour, according to AFP.
According to a decree signed by President Noboa, the measure was taken due to “the increase in violence, serious crime and the intense illegal activities of organized armed groups“.
The decree suspends legal protections against unauthorized searches of citizens and their homes, as well as freedom of assembly. A curfew is also imposed in a number of cities.
Noboa, who has been in power since 2023, has previously also declared a state of emergency in the country to combat drug cartels that are fighting among themselves.