Ecuador declares state of emergency over a crime wave

Ecuador, the South American country, has declared a state of emergency over the crime wave. Ecuador’s President Guillermo Lasso announced a 60-day state of emergency amidst a rise in violent drug crimes.

President Lasso has pointed to drug trafficking and consumption as the main drivers behind an increase in murders, home burglary, thefts of vehicles and goods, and muggings.

Speaking in a televised address, President Lasso said that under the emergency measures, the armed forces and police would carry out “arms checks, inspections, 24-hour patrols, and drug searches, among other actions”.