Minister Mónica Palencia announced the measure due to the planned eight-hour blackout that will begin at 10:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 18, and end at 6:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 19.

Ecuadorian Interior Minister Mónica Palencia announced on Monday that there will be a curfew on Wednesday 18th, due to the blackout announced by the Government.

During the press conference of the Security Block in Manta, the official announced the details of the cut, but did not specify the curfew time.

He also revealed that both the police and the Armed Forces will take the necessary measures to guarantee the safety of citizens.

Palencia said that the curfew will be in effect so that “it is mandatory to stay at home and reduce risk levels.”

Kléber Guaytarilla, general of the Armed Forces, indicated that operations and mechanisms will be deployed to prevent crime from affecting Ecuadorians. This is already in the planning stage.

The government issued a statement on Sunday, September 15, announcing that there will be an eight-hour nationwide blackout this week.

The service will be suspended because maintenance work will be carried out on the transmission system and electrical distribution networks.

The power cut will begin at 10:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 18 and end at 6:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 19.

During the eight-hour blackout, preventive maintenance will be carried out on all facilities of the National Transmission System and electricity distribution networks, the Ministry of Communications reported.

The statement highlights that “President Daniel Noboa is taking preventive decisions to address the crisis and maintain energy sovereignty in the medium term.”

Following the announcement of the blackout, businesses have begun to take action and have planned schedule adjustments during the hours of outages.