Gangs declared war on the government when President Daniel Noboa announced a state of emergency following the prison escape on Jan 7 of one of Ecuador's most powerful narcotics bosses.
Mr Noboa ordered military operations to "neutralise" criminal gangs, as the country exploded into what he called an "internal armed conflict".
Long a peaceful haven sandwiched between top cocaine exporters Colombia and Peru, Ecuador has seen violence explode in recent years as rival gangs with links to Mexican and Colombian cartels vie for control.
In the port city of Guayaquil, men wearing balaclavas and waving weapons stormed a stateowned TV station during a live broadcast, taking several journalists and staff hostage on Jan 9.
At least 10 people have been killed in a series of attacks blamed on gangs eight in Guayaquil, and two "viciously murdered by armed criminals" in the nearby town of Nobol, police said on Jan 9. Three other officers were wounded in Guayaquil.
After the escape of Jose Adolfo Macias, aka "Fito" - leader of Ecuador's biggest gang, Los Choneros Mr Noboa on Jan 8 declared a countrywide state of emergency and nightly curfew.
Gangs retaliated, taking police officers hostage and setting off explosions in several cities.
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