Quito [Ecuador], April 21: Ecuador has declared a state of "maximum alert" over an assassination plot against President Daniel Noboa.
In a statement entitled "The revenge of the bad losers" issued on Saturday, the Ministry of Government said "all security protocols have been activated" due to the threat emanating from "criminal organizations, in collusion with political groups defeated at the polls".
Noboa was re-elected earlier this month, promising to continue a crackdown on rampant cartel violence that plagues Ecuador. His opponent, Luisa Gonzalez, has continued to insist that the vote was fraudulent. The statement follows the leak of a military intelligence report that said assassins entering Ecuador from Mexico and other countries planned to carry out "terrorist attacks" against Noboa.
The government statement alleges that "bad losers" from the recent April 13 election hired sicarios (hitmen) from Mexico and other countries in a bid to destabilise the government.
"The state is on high alert. All security protocols have been activated, and the Armed Forces, the National Police, and intelligence agencies are working together," it reads. Quoting intelligence sources, it reports "the plotting of an assassination, terrorist attacks, and street riots through violent demonstrations". The plot targets "the life of the President of the Republic, state authorities, and public officials", it said.
Although not offering names, the statement appears to accuse the Citizen Revolution Movement (RC5) of which Gonzalez is leader and that is linked to former President Rafael Correa, of planning the attack.
Source: Qatar Tribune
