Ecuador enters state of emergency following drug lord's escape

At least four Ecuadorean police officers have been kidnapped and there have been explosions in several cities, a day after the country's president declared a 60-day state of emergency.

That measure was in response to the disappearance from prison of Adolfo Macias, a high-profile leader of the Los Choneros criminal gang. He was serving a 34-year sentence.

There were also incidents at six other prisons, including the hostage-taking of prison guards.

Police and prosecutors have given scant information about Macias' disappearance.

President Daniel Noboa has said he will not negotiate with "terrorists" and the government has blamed recent incidents of prison violence on Noboa's plan to build a new high security prison and transfer jailed gang leaders.

The situation is among the first big security tests for Noboa, who is a former legislator and the son of one of the country's richest men.

He took office in November promising to fix the struggling economy and address growing violence.

Declaring a state of emergency was a tool used by his predecessor Guillermo Lasso to little success.

It enables military patrols, including in prisons, and sets a national nighttime curfew.

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Видео Ecuador enters state of emergency following drug lord's escape канала The Sun