Ecuador to shutter borders over weekend, militarize ports

FILE PHOTO: An Ecuadorian soldier stands guard at the Rumichaca International Bridge on the border between Ecuador and Colombia during a security patrol, in Tulcan, Ecuador January 13, 2024. REUTERS/Karen Toro/File Photo

QUITO (Reuters) - Ecuador's borders will be closed from Saturday to next Monday, President Daniel Noboa said in a post on X on Monday, while also ratcheting up the military's presence at the borders and at ports.

Noboa said the borders would be closed over the weekend, when he is facing 15 opponents in a Sunday presidential election, due to "attempts by armed groups to destabilize the country."