Photos: Ecuadorian President Declares State of Emergency Amid National Unrest

The head of the Joint Command of the Ecuadorian Armed Forces, RADM Jaime Vela Eraso, stated on Tuesday that 22 criminal organizations operating in the country were designated as a "military target" during a meeting of the security council. He added that there will be no negotiations with these groups.

On top of that, Ecuador’s President Noboa ordered the army to "neutralize" criminal groups operating in the country.

The country's police said on X that at least ten people, including two police officers, lost their lives during the riots in the Ecuadorian city of Guayaquil and the neighboring town of Nobol.

Furthermore, the Peruvian government announced the immediate deployment of a police task force to the border with Ecuador. A state of emergency was also declared along Peru's northern border with Ecuador.

Moreover, Argentina expressed its readiness to deploy security personnel to Ecuador in order to help restore law and order during the ongoing unrest. Buenos Aires described the situation as one that affects the entire continent.

Take a look at Sputnik Africa's photos to see what is happening in the Latin American country.

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Police evacuate staff from the TC television channel station after a group of armed men broke onto their set during a live broadcast, in Guayaquil, Ecuador, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024.

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Ecuadorean security forces patrol the area around the main square and presidential palace after Ecuadorean President Daniel Noboa declared the country in a state of "internal armed conflict" and ordered the army to carry out military operations against the country's powerful drug gangs, in downtown Quito on January 9, 2024.

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A woman buys a product through a small window in a metal curtain in downtown Quito on January 9, 2024, amid growing tension after Ecuadorean President Daniel Noboa declared the country in a state of "internal armed conflict" and ordered the army to carry out military operations against the country's powerful drug gangs.

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An Ecuadorean police helicopter overflies the premises of Ecuador's TC television channel after unidentified gunmen burst into the state-owned television studio live on air on January 9, 2024, in Guayaquil, Ecuador, a day after Ecuadorean President Daniel Noboa declared a state of emergency following the escape from prison of a dangerous narco boss.

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Soldiers patrol the perimeter of Inca prison during a state of emergency in Quito, Ecuador, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024, in the wake of the apparent escape of a powerful gang leader from prison.

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Security forces cordon off the main square and presidential palace after Ecuadoran President Daniel Noboa declared the country in a state of "internal armed conflict" and ordered the army to carry out military operations against the country's powerful drug gangs, in downtown Quito on January 9, 2024.

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Ecuadorean police officers fuard the arrested suspects outside Ecuador's TC television channel after unidentified gunmen burst into the state-owned television studio live on air on January 9, 2024, in Guayaquil, Ecuador, a day after Ecuadorean President Daniel Noboa declared a state of emergency following the escape from prison of a dangerous narco boss.

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An Ecuadorean sniper takes position outside the premises of Ecuador's TC television channel after unidentified gunmen burst into the state-owned television studio live on air on January 9, 2024, in Guayaquil, Ecuador, a day after Ecuadorean President Daniel Noboa declared a state of emergency following the escape from prison of a dangerous narco boss.

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Police evacuate staff from the TC public television station after a group of armed men broke onto their set during a live broadcast, in Guayaquil, Ecuador, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024.

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Ecuadorean security forces patrol the area around the main square and presidential palace after Ecuadorean President Daniel Noboa declared the country in a state of "internal armed conflict" and ordered the army to carry out military operations against the country's powerful drug gangs, in downtown Quito on January 9, 2024.