Ten Kazakhstani citizens are stranded in Ecuador amid growing gang violence

According to Aibek Smadiyarov, the official spokesperson of Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry, ten Kazakhstanis are currently in Ecuador where the local government has declared a state of emergency due to a spike in violence

How many Kazakhstanis are in Ecuador now?

«Currently, we have seven Kazakhstani citizens on consular register in Ecuador. Apart from them we also have a family of three people from Kazakhstan who have come to Ecuador as tourists,» the ministry said.

What is the current condition of Kazakhstanis? According to Smadiyarov, the consul called every one of them. He instructed these people on security measures and has kept in touch with them. The official also said that all Kazakhstanis are safe and sound.

The context. On January 8, Ecuador authorities reported that Adolfo Macías, the leader of the Los Chorenos, also known as Fito, escaped from a prison. President Daniel Noboa of Ecuador has declared a state of emergency throughout the country for 60 days.

However, on January 9, the authorities reported the escape of another gang leader Fabricio Colón Pico, the leader of the Los Lobos gang. In response, the president declared a regime of domestic armed conflict with a range of gangs that he called terrorist organizations.

All this has led to unrest in Ecuador with the deliberate setting of cars and buses on fire, explosions and assaults. According to the Interfax agency, 13 people have already died, including two police officers.