US Embassy in Quito evacuated on security grounds

The Embassy of the United States in Quito was evacuated Friday on security grounds and only left the indispensable personnel inside, said diplomatic sources.

The sources said that the evacuation was ordered on security grounds in the face of the possibility of groups of demonstrators going to the diplomatic representation to protest against the government of the United States.

This took place at the moment when the Organization of American States (OAS) was analyzing in Washington the situation of the Andean country, where there was a change of government Wednesday after the sacking of president Lucio Gutierrez in a confusing parliamentary decision.

Gutierrez was replaced by his vice president, Alfredo Palacio, who upon taking Office appointed part of his cabinet.

The Ecuadorian delegation attending the meeting of the Permanent Council of the OAS Friday made a call for the application of the Inter-American Democratic Charge to solve the crisis in Ecuador.

Many people in Ecuador did not like the OAS critical position towards Palacio, so many Ecuadorians went to protest outside the headquarters of the Organization of American States and the Embassy of the United States at Quito.

Source: Xinhua