Ecuador police chief has resigned

Quito, October 1, 2010.- Police of Ecuador Chief Freddy Martinez resigned after riot police force generated in the country’s institutional chaos.

“Yesterday, it was critical, unfortunately, chaotic mess everywhere. There was disrespect to the Commandant General, the Minister of Interior, and last but not least, the President of the Republic. The police, who are called to maintain order and public peace, provoke disorder yesterday, “Martinez said at a news conference.

The decision to resign his post was taken after the president was unharmed.

On the other hand, he said, “I am afraid that possibly there was infiltration of people interested in destabilizing the police,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Red Cross reported that the crisis in Ecuador left at least two dead and 88 wounded.

For its part, the U.S. strongly supported the government of Rafael Correa and expressed its “concern about the serious lack of discipline by elements of the security forces in Ecuador.”

The message was conveyed through its secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs of the State Department Arturo Valenzuela.