CORONA, Queens (PIX11) -- In the wake of unprecedented violence escalating in Ecuador, causing the country's President to declare a state of emergency, dozens of Ecuadorian New Yorkers came together Wednesday night to call for peace in their homeland.
"My parents are there, and my brother is there with his family," said Ecuadorian native Carlos Becilla. "They cannot go out at night because it's really difficult."
Becilla is concerned for his family living in Ecuador amid a worsening security crisis, as the country has been rocked by a surge in violence in recent weeks.
"It's an armed conflict caused by the drug cartels inside the country," Becilla said. "The people cannot walk on the street because you never know when someone is going to kill you."
The chaos came to a head this month after the country's most wanted gang leader, Jose Adolfo Macias Villamar, went missing from the prison where he was being held -- prompting Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa to declare a state of emergency. Shortly after Villamar's disappearance, inmates at numerous jails took over 100 prison guards hostage, and a group of masked men were seen storming a TV station during a live broadcast, threatening presenters with firearms.
In New York City, the Ecuadorian community held a peace rally in Corona, Queens, waving flags as they stood in solidarity with their native country. Councilman Francisco Moya led the charge.
"The largest population of Ecuadorians outside of the country of Ecuador, it truly is a big concern and they really wanted to send a message of hope and peace here," Moya said.
Moya highlighted the ongoing turmoil as a reason migrants continue to flee the country as he pushed for peaceful resolutions.
"They're fleeing not because they want to leave their home country," said Moya. "They're fleeing because they are looking for safety and they're looking for better opportunities. This is a moment for our government to really need to step in here and help."
The U.S. Embassy also issued a travel advisory urging U.S. residents to reconsider traveling to several parts of the country as they deal with civil unrest.
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