Ecuador blindes its borders and decrees state of exception

Military watches with drones, patrols and helicopters the border crossings at the risk of violence by criminal gangs during this Sunday’s second round.

Ecuador reinforced his national security with a massive military deployment and decreed the state of exception in seven provinces before the ballot between Daniel Noboa and Luisa González.

The government activated intensive patrols in legal and illegal steps of the borders with Colombia and Peruwhile preventing the entry of foreigners until midnight on Monday April 14.

More than 1700 military Ecuadorians monitor the northern zone, especially in Rumichaca, El Palmar, Puerto El Carmen and Puerto Métenzacoordinating actions with Colombian troops in Ipiales and killing.

Read too

“Peru Mumer Gusto” launches its first fair in Madrid

The army explained that operations seek to avoid attacks, control cross -border crimes and guarantee the peaceful development of the electoral process in a context of growing internal insecurity.

In the provinces of Carchi, Imbabura and Esmeraldas, Fixed and mobile controls have been established at strategic points such as Chical, Tufiño, Santa Barbara And the International River Bridge San Miguel.

Noboa issued a presidential decree that limits the entry of foreigners by 72 hourspointing out that on the border illegal activities linked to organized armed bands were detected.

Since 2024, Ecuador It is under a state of “internal armed conflict” due to criminal violence, which has made it one of the most dangerous countries in the region.

The current average of an hour murder ignited all the executive alarms, which decided to close the borders as a preventive measure to protect voters and the democratic system.

The Armed Forces execute air, land and river operations in the most vulnerable sectors, with technology and binational coordination to stop any attempt to alter the electoral day.

In parallel, the army also reinforces surveillance in areas where foreign linked to illegal mining operates, especially in Chical, El Cielito and Buenos Airesto the north of the country.

Authorities from both countries assured that, so far, public order remains under control, although they remain on a maximum alert to any incident that may put the vote at risk.