QUITO, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa on Wednesday extended the state of emergency for another 30 days in eight provinces over what the government described as "serious internal unrest," citing persistent criminal activity and serious acts of violence.
The measure, enacted through Executive Decree 532, applies to the western coastal provinces of El Oro, Esmeraldas, Guayas, Los Rios, Manabi and Santa Elena, as well as Pichincha and Santo Domingo de los Tsachilas in the north-central part of the country.
The decree extends the suspension of the rights to the inviolability of the home and correspondence. It also maintains exceptional measures authorizing the armed forces to intervene in coordination with the National Police and to temporarily requisition goods and services of lawful origin.
The government said the extension would not interfere with local elections scheduled for Nov. 29. Authorities are required to ensure that the measures do not unjustifiably hinder the election campaign, the work of electoral bodies, or the exercise of political rights by candidates, political organizations and citizens.
Since 2024, Ecuador has been under an "internal armed conflict" declared by Noboa against criminal organizations linked to drug trafficking, which the government has designated as "terrorist" groups. Authorities blame these groups for escalating violence including armed attacks, kidnappings, extortion and killings. ■
