BRUSSELS, January 10. /TASS/. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said that he was deeply concerned about the upsurge of violence in Ecuador, calling it an attack on democracy.

"[I am] deeply concerned by the surge of violence in Ecuador orchestrated by criminal groups. It is a direct attack on democracy and the rule of law," he wrote on his X (formerly Twitter) page. The diplomat pointed out that "EU stands with the people of Ecuador and its democratic institutions."

The security situation in Ecuador escalated on January 7 after the leader of the Los Choneros criminal gang, nicknamed Fito, escaped from prison. This was followed by riots in several prisons. On January 8, Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa declared a state of emergency in the country and imposed a curfew.