U.S. warns tourists of violence in seven provinces; Thousands of fishermen jailed for drug traffick

[Judi Lynn]

U.S. warns tourists of violence in seven provinces; Thousands of fishermen jailed for drug trafficking; El Niño preparations includes temporary bridges
Jun 26, 2023

The U.S. State Department is advising travelers to exercise “extreme caution” if they visit Ecuador’s El Oro, Manabí, Santo Domingo, Los Ríos, Santa Elena, Cañar and Carchi provinces.

In a statement issued last week, the State Department said that “robberies, kidnappings and violent deaths are common” in the seven provinces, recommending against all travel in the cities of Huaquillas in El Oro and Quevedo in Los Ríos.

The statement said the “activity of criminal gangs related to the illegal drug trade” was the major factor for rising crime rates in the provinces. “The danger is highest in the region close to Ecuador’s coast,” it said.

In an earlier statement, the State Department issued a similar warning for travel in Guayas Province. It added that travel was safe in most of Ecuador’s Andean region.

More:
https://cuencahighlife.com/u-s-warns-tourists-of-violence-in-seven-provinces-thousands-of-fishermen-jailed-for-drug-trafficking-el-nino-preparations-includes-temporary-bridges/



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