02:32President of Ecuador Daniel Noboa delivered thousands of new rifles to security forces mobilised in Duran, reportedly one of the most violent cities in Ecuador, for the country's ongoing anti-drug-trafficking operations on Tuesday.
Footage shows hundreds of police officers at the meeting with President Noboa, who can be seen receiving and holding the weapons and lined up to listen to the President and Police Commander Cesar Zapata.
"We are carrying out a long struggle against narco-terrorist groups," he said. "Today, more than ever, we must continue to demonstrate to the entire country that we are on the right path, fighting tirelessly for the Ecuador we so deeply desire. We have fought against various criminal groups, apprehending high-risk leaders, seizing drugs and weapons, and remaining steadfast in our fight against the mafias. We will not stop until we achieve freedom for all of Ecuador," said President Noboa, in his speech to security forces in Duran.
Police Commander Cesar Zapata stressed that the damage caused by the local criminal groups led to the 'shifting of national attention to certain provinces' which requires a 'priority on security without indiscriminately neglecting other areas.'
Noting that 'the criminals have retreated', Zapata underlined that it is 'necessary to ensure security for our operations'.
According to media reports, Noboa delivered 1,752 5.56 calibre rifles, as well as 30 high-precision rifles to strengthen the local police's capacity to continue to conduct anti-drug trafficking operations.
A record 145.43 murders per 100,000 inhabitants were reported last year in Duran, which is heavily targeted by drug trafficking gangs due to its proximity to the ports of Guayaquil and Posorja.
Earlier this year, in January, President Noboa declared an 'internal armed conflict' against 22 criminal gangs and imposed a state of emergency, deploying the military across the country. The crackdown comes ahead of the Ecuadorian general elections in 2025.
'Fighting tirelessly for the Ecuador we so deeply desire' - Ecuador's Noboa amid rearmament for 'long struggle against narco-terrorist groups'
President of Ecuador Daniel Noboa delivered thousands of new rifles to security forces mobilised in Duran, reportedly one of the most violent cities in Ecuador, for the country's ongoing anti-drug-trafficking operations on Tuesday.
Footage shows hundreds of police officers at the meeting with President Noboa, who can be seen receiving and holding the weapons and lined up to listen to the President and Police Commander Cesar Zapata.
"We are carrying out a long struggle against narco-terrorist groups," he said. "Today, more than ever, we must continue to demonstrate to the entire country that we are on the right path, fighting tirelessly for the Ecuador we so deeply desire. We have fought against various criminal groups, apprehending high-risk leaders, seizing drugs and weapons, and remaining steadfast in our fight against the mafias. We will not stop until we achieve freedom for all of Ecuador," said President Noboa, in his speech to security forces in Duran.
Police Commander Cesar Zapata stressed that the damage caused by the local criminal groups led to the 'shifting of national attention to certain provinces' which requires a 'priority on security without indiscriminately neglecting other areas.'
Noting that 'the criminals have retreated', Zapata underlined that it is 'necessary to ensure security for our operations'.
According to media reports, Noboa delivered 1,752 5.56 calibre rifles, as well as 30 high-precision rifles to strengthen the local police's capacity to continue to conduct anti-drug trafficking operations.
A record 145.43 murders per 100,000 inhabitants were reported last year in Duran, which is heavily targeted by drug trafficking gangs due to its proximity to the ports of Guayaquil and Posorja.
Earlier this year, in January, President Noboa declared an 'internal armed conflict' against 22 criminal gangs and imposed a state of emergency, deploying the military across the country. The crackdown comes ahead of the Ecuadorian general elections in 2025.
President of Ecuador Daniel Noboa delivered thousands of new rifles to security forces mobilised in Duran, reportedly one of the most violent cities in Ecuador, for the country's ongoing anti-drug-trafficking operations on Tuesday.
Footage shows hundreds of police officers at the meeting with President Noboa, who can be seen receiving and holding the weapons and lined up to listen to the President and Police Commander Cesar Zapata.
"We are carrying out a long struggle against narco-terrorist groups," he said. "Today, more than ever, we must continue to demonstrate to the entire country that we are on the right path, fighting tirelessly for the Ecuador we so deeply desire. We have fought against various criminal groups, apprehending high-risk leaders, seizing drugs and weapons, and remaining steadfast in our fight against the mafias. We will not stop until we achieve freedom for all of Ecuador," said President Noboa, in his speech to security forces in Duran.
Police Commander Cesar Zapata stressed that the damage caused by the local criminal groups led to the 'shifting of national attention to certain provinces' which requires a 'priority on security without indiscriminately neglecting other areas.'
Noting that 'the criminals have retreated', Zapata underlined that it is 'necessary to ensure security for our operations'.
According to media reports, Noboa delivered 1,752 5.56 calibre rifles, as well as 30 high-precision rifles to strengthen the local police's capacity to continue to conduct anti-drug trafficking operations.
A record 145.43 murders per 100,000 inhabitants were reported last year in Duran, which is heavily targeted by drug trafficking gangs due to its proximity to the ports of Guayaquil and Posorja.
Earlier this year, in January, President Noboa declared an 'internal armed conflict' against 22 criminal gangs and imposed a state of emergency, deploying the military across the country. The crackdown comes ahead of the Ecuadorian general elections in 2025.