Ecuador government proposes $214 million hike in security spending

FILE PHOTO: Soldiers stand together during a joint police and military operation in a low-income neighbourhood, as the government continues its offensive against criminal gangs, in Duran, Ecuador, February 1, 2024. REUTERS/Santiago Armas/File Photo

QUITO (Reuters) - The government of Ecuadorean President Daniel Noboa has proposed raising security spending by $214 million in 2024, as it deploys the military to help fight violence blamed on drug trafficking gangs, and could raise value-added tax to 15% from April.

Noboa declared gangs to be terrorist groups last month after the latest surge of violence, when dozens of prison guards were taken hostage and gunmen invaded a television station during a live broadcast.