Mar 20 • 10:37 UTC 🇪🇨 Ecuador El Universo (ES)

Fifth day of curfew leaves arrests and police operations against organized crime

The fifth day of a curfew in several Ecuadorian provinces has seen police continue their operations against organized crime, with significant deployments in critical areas.

On March 20, Ecuador enacted its fifth day of a curfew in the provinces of Los Ríos, Guayas, El Oro, and Santo Domingo, which is part of a broader effort to combat organized crime that began on March 15 and is set to continue until the end of the month. This measure has involved a strong police presence in critical areas, as authorities aim to deter criminal activities during the enforced curfew period. Videos shared by the National Police illustrate the extensive patrols being conducted in urban regions such as Guayas and El Oro, highlighting the government’s commitment to maintaining public order.

In areas like Guayaquil and Durán, police initiated significant operations aimed at disrupting criminal logistics and countering illegal economies. These operations, documented by the National Police through social media, included raids on various properties, signaling a proactive approach toward dismantling crime syndicates. Although the police commander Pablo Dávila directly oversaw these actions, detailed results regarding arrests or seizures have yet to be released, raising questions about the immediate effectiveness of the operations in terms of tangible outcomes.

The implementation of the curfew and accompanying police operations reflects Ecuador's ongoing struggle with organized crime and its impact on public safety. The government's decisiveness in deploying law enforcement in response to escalating violence underscores the seriousness with which it is addressing these criminal issues. As the curfew continues until March 30, the authorities are expected to enhance their efforts to ensure compliance and implement further measures to stabilize the situation, indicating a multifaceted approach to tackling the root causes of criminal activity in the region.

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