Following the outbreak of violence linked to drug trafficking, Ecuador has deployed security forces to its main port terminals and key transportation routes. This move has allowed export operations to continue, according to exporters on Wednesday.
Ecuador, the world's largest exporter of bananas, has been significantly impacted by the recent violence. The country's President, Daniel Noboa, whose family owns a large banana exporting business, declared a state of emergency on Monday and stated on Wednesday that the country is at war with the gangs.
Despite the violence in several cities, port operations in major export hubs such as Guayaquil, Posorja, and Manta, have continued as normal, said Jose Antonio Hidalgo Molina, the head of the banana exporting group AEBE. He explained that the group has been collaborating with the government to establish safe corridors for the transportation of fruit from the farms to the ports.
However, Hugo Francisco Hernandez, a director at Anecacao, noted that some companies dealing with agricultural commodities were not fully staffed on Wednesday. Many people are avoiding commuting to offices amid the unrest. Despite this, port loadings have not been affected so far, he added.
Source: xm.com