Noboa, the son of one of the country's richest men, took office in November, pledging to stem a wave of violence linked to drug trafficking on the streets and in prisons that has been increasing for years.
Noboa declared a 60-day state of emergency – a tool his predecessor had used with little success – on Monday, allowing military patrols, including in prisons, and imposing a nationwide night-time curfew.
Soldiers patrol outside the government palace during a state of emergency in Quito.credit: AP
The measure was in response to the apparent escape of Adolfo Macias, leader of the Los Choneros criminal gang, from the prison where he was serving a 34-year sentence, and other recent incidents at the prison, including the taking of guards hostage.
In an updated decree published Tuesday afternoon, Noboa said he recognized the existence of an “internal armed conflict” in Ecuador and designated several criminal gangs as terrorist groups, including Los Choneros. The decree ordered the armed forces to neutralize the groups.
Three police officers working the night shift were kidnapped in the southern city of Machala, while three criminals kidnapped a fourth officer in Quito, police said on social media earlier Tuesday. Three other officers were kidnapped in Los Rios province after a patrol was hit by explosives.
The police said that “these actions will not remain unpunished,” and did not provide any details on whether the kidnappers had issued their demands.
Police said explosions occurred in Esmeraldas and Los Rios provinces, while the Cuenca city mayor's office confirmed another explosion, and the public prosecutor's office said it was investigating another explosion in Guayaquil.
Local media also reported explosions in Loja and Machala.
The authorities did not announce a cause for any of the explosions, and no one claimed responsibility.
