Dec. 26 (UPI) -- Ecuador restricted most of its border crossings with Colombia and Peru for "national security reasons," leaving only two international crossings open for the formal movement of people and goods.
The measure was announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ecuador on official social media accounts and has been in effect since Wednesday.
The government said the restrictions are part of President Daniel Noboa's security strategy amid rising violence linked to drug trafficking, smuggling and using informal crossings in border areas.
Situated between the world's two largest cocaine-producing countries, Ecuador shares a long and vulnerable border of about 370 miles with Colombia to the north and nearly 930 miles with Peru to the south, linking Pacific and Amazon regions.
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