In the coastal city of Machala “three police officers, who were on duty at the scene, were kidnapped”, while a fourth officer was kidnapped in the capital Quito, Ecuador’s police force said on X.
The officers were abducted by three people driving a vehicle “without licence plates”, according to the police statement.
President Daniel Noboa declared a 60-day nationwide state of emergency yesterday, triggering the mobilisation of soldiers on streets and in prisons, as well as a nightly curfew from 11pm to 5am.
In a video posted on Instagram, Noboa said the state of emergency would allow armed forces to enter and help control prisons.
“We will not negotiate with terrorists nor rest until we return peace to all Ecuadorans,” he said.
Authorities are looking for Adolfo Macias, also known as “Fito”, who was serving a 34-year sentence for organised crime, drug trafficking and murder.
The attorney-general’s office filed charges against two prison officials it accuses of being involved in Macias’s escape.
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