The movement restriction has been in force since September 17 in Guayas, Manabi, Los Rios, and El Oro, coastal provinces that are home to the country’s leading hotspots of violence.

The latest figures released by the Interior Ministry record 289 detentions: 216 individuals were detained for violating the curfew and 73 for other offenses, including extortion and organized crime.

During the first three days of the curfew, security forces conducted 258 operations, set up 203 checkpoints, and carried out six raids, while seizing 1.03 tons of drugs, 44 bladed weapons and firearms, 298 rounds of ammunition, and 39,000 dollars.

The security deployment will continue until September 30, as the Government maintains the state of emergency decreed on September 15 for the said provinces and four others (Esmeraldas, Santa Elena, Santo Domingo de los Tsachilas, and Pichincha).

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