UNEASY Soldiers guard a neighborhood market north of the capital Quito after the government declared a state of emergency following the prison escape of a powerful narco boss. ON EDGE A policeman secures the perimeter as members of a bomb squad inspect a suspicious package abandoned at Quito’s La Marin bus station.
ALMOST DESERTED The usually busy avenue in Ecuador’s largest city Guayaquil is strangely empty on Jan. 11 amid a standoff between the country’s military and members of organized crime. CRACKDOWN Members of the armed forces stop and frisk men during a security operation in the Ecuadoran capital after criminals threaten random executions in the country. —photos by AFP
SUSPECT Security personnel inspect the tattoos of a passerby and check his identity.
BIRD OF PREY Once considered as threats to livestock, condors have become protected attractions. —photos by AFP
MARKER A cross stands in the mountaintop municipality of Cerrito in Santander, Colombia.
