Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso declared a state of emergency after a massive explosion in the country’s industrial capital, Guayaquil, killed at least five people. The local government blamed organized crime for the incident.
According to Ecuadorian authorities, the incident occurred in Cristo del Consuelo and injured 20 people, in addition to the destruction of eight houses and two vehicles. On social media, police warned it was a “big explosion”, but did not provide further details.
Ecuadorian Interior Minister Patricio Carrillo blamed organized crime for the explosion, in a statement on his social media account. “Organized crime gangs, which have drugged the economy for a long time, are now attacking with explosives. It is a declaration of war on the state,” he said.
The newspaper “El Universo” stated that the Ecuadorian president’s measure will last at least 30 days, and is the third measure of the same kind imposed on Guayaquil since the beginning of Lasso’s term.
With a state of emergency declared, Lasso plans to allow the police and military to intervene to combat crime being committed in Guayaquil.
Ecuador has faced a huge wave of crime in recent years, especially drug trafficking. The country borders Colombia and Peru, some of the world’s largest cocaine producers.
“Either we unite to face it or the cost will be even greater for society,” the Ecuadorian minister said in his message.
source: Noticias
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