Ecuador reports thousands of arrests following curfew implementation

The government of Ecuador announced that more than 5,000 individuals have been arrested since a nighttime curfew was imposed on May 3. Among those detained, 700 are reportedly linked to organized crime gangs. The curfew is in effect across nine of the country's 24 provinces, including the capital, Quito. Security forces, consisting of military and police personnel, have conducted 378 raids on buildings. During these operations, authorities seized 9.2 tons of drugs and over 600 weapons, according to Interior Minister John Rajberg. This is the second curfew mandated by President Daniel Noboa this year as part of his stated war against gangs involved in extortion, illegal mining, and drug trafficking. Approximately 70% of cocaine produced in neighboring Colombia and Peru is estimated to pass through Ecuador en route to markets in the United States and Europe. The government continues to utilize state-of-emergency measures to intensify intelligence gathering and control operations against criminal structures.