The bloc, made up of Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Guyana, Suriname, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela, expressed its ‘explicit and unequivocal support and solidarity’ to Ecuadorian people and government in their crack down on organized crime.

The member States ‘will join efforts to fight off violence that really affects the entire region’, under the principles of International Law and the internal laws of each South American nation.

We hope for a prompt reestablishment of security and public order within the framework of the rule of law and the current institutional framework in Ecuador, with adherence and respect for democracy and human rights, it said.

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