Colombia on Friday re-opened its border with Ecuador, which was closed for several hours following a police rebellion against Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa on Thursday.
Colombian Foreign Minister Maria Angela Holguin, speaking from an emergency meeting of regional body UNASUR in Buenos Aires, told Caracol Radio that the border is currently open. Holguin said that the region’s leaders “unanimously reaffirm their commitment to the preservation of democratic systems.”
Holguin said that she would travel to Ecuador, along with diplomats from various other South American countries, in order to support Correa.
Following the rebellion, South American leaders released a strong statement condemning the incident.
The Ecuadorean government has declared a state of emergency, after police protests against benefit cuts and bonuses spiraled out of control, leading to President Correa being trapped in a hospital for several hours by police protesters. He was eventually rescued by the military, amid gunfire.
The leaders of Colombia and Peru had earlier decided to close the border as a “sign of solidarity with President Correa and the Ecuadorean democracy.”
