Ecuador violence: President calls for neutralisation of criminal gangs

The president of Ecuador has said that the South American country is in a state of war after a series of coordinated attacks by armed groups linked to drug cartels left at least 11 people dead.

There has been looting and kidnappings of police officers in the capital Quito and police have arrested masked gunmen after they stormed a TV station in the largest city Guayaquil.

The attacks have followed the escape from jail of one of Ecuador’s most dangerous drug lords.