Ecuador troops move as protest hits oil exports

Ecuadorean troops took control of government buildings in two Amazon provinces and reinforced security at oil wells on Thursday as they moved to quell protests that have slashed crude production and exports, a senior officer said.

Acting after President Alfredo Palacio declared a state of emergency in the provinces of Sucumbios and Orellana late on Wednesday, security forces fired tear gas at protesters in the eastern jungle city of Lago Agrio, in images shown on local television.

Financial Times