Ecuador reaffirms existence of internal armed conflict

Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa on Thursday reaffirmed, through a new executive decree, the existence of an "internal armed conflict" in the country and ordered international cooperation to strengthen state actions against groups deemed a threat to national security and sovereignty.

Under the decree, the government recognizes the continued activity of groups that pose a threat to national sovereignty, state security, public order, social peace and citizen safety.

The decree says Ecuador may receive international cooperation to strengthen efforts to neutralize threats that generate, deepen and sustain the conflict. Such cooperation may be carried out through mechanisms, activities and actions that help meet the objectives set out in the decree.