Ecuador 'in state of war' against cartels, says president

“We are at war and we cannot cede in the face of these terrorist groups,” Ecuadorian president Daniel Noboa told radio station Canela Radio on Wednesday, estimated that some 20,000 crime gang members are active in the country.

Noboa’s remarks come in a week in which Ecuador finds itself gripped by gang violence which has seen more than 130 prison guards and other staff taken hostage by inmates and the apparent escape of notorious “Los Choneros” gang leader Adolfo “Fito” Macias.

Explosions…