Ecuador

Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa said Wednesday the country was in "a state of war" against drug cartels who have carried out a wave of kidnappings and deadly attacks in response to government crackdown.

Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa on Monday declared a country-wide state of emergency, including the prison system, after an "extremely dangerous" narco boss escaped from his maximum security cell and unrest erupted at several penitentiaries.

'Magical’ beachfront towns have been transformed into violent transit points for cocaine; ‘there is so much grief watching mothers have to bury their sons’

Ecuador's president has said a body found by authorities is that of a young female lawyer who went missing after visiting a police training school.