Ecuador: State of emergency declared in seven provinces

Ecuadorean President Daniel Noboa declared a new state of emergency in seven provinces on Wednesday.

A rising number of violent deaths and crimes was cited as the reason for the measure in Guayas, El Oro, Santa Elena, Manabi, Sucumbios, Orellana and Los Rios provinces, and one area of the Azuay province.

The measure will be in effect for 60 days according to a decree signed by the Noboa.

Human rights groups voice concerns

Security forces in targeted provinces can now enter homes and intercept correspondence without prior authorization.

A state of emergency was declared in January after Jose Adolfo Macias, a dangerous drug boss, escaped from maximum security detention.

The president said the country was in a an, "internal armed conflict" and ordered the army to "neutralize" 22 criminal groups.
However, the Constitutional Court ruled the previous emergency declaration in five provinces was not sufficiently justified. 

Human Rights Watch (HRW) urged Noboa to undo the state of "internal armed conflict" still in place, saying it had opened the door to rights abuses. 

HRW reported "multiple instances of serious human rights violations committed by security forces" since January. 

Crackdown on gangs

The  violence is being blamed on drug gangs which move cocaine from Colombia and Peru through Ecuador, according to Noboa.

He previously used state of emergency declarations to increase police and military operations.

The government claims violent deaths fell 28% in the first four months of the year, compared with the same period in 2023, but recognized other crimes, including kidnappings, rose.

km/jsi (AFP/Reuters)