Duran authorities stated the measure is due to increased crimes and shootings reported recently, despite the government has repeatedly declared states of emergency in that territory.

Ecuadorian councilor Bolivar Vera was kidnapped on September 8 and was found dead the next day. The crime occurred one month after another municipal official was murdered in the same locality.

President Guillermo Lasso declared a state of emergency in Ecuador following presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio’s assassination on August 9.

The measure entails an increased police and military presence in the streets, but crimes have not stopped.

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