Ecuador ‘at war’ with drug gangs, says president as violence continues

Soldiers on guard in Quito. The violence has left city streets almost deserted. Photograph: Agencia Press South/Getty Images

Ecuador’s president, Daniel Noboa, said on Wednesday that his country was “at war” with drug gangs who are holding more than 130 prison staff hostage and who briefly captured a TV station live on air, in a wave of violence that has left city streets deserted.

At least 10 people have been killed, including police officers, in the attacks.