Ecuador’s president rescued from hostage situation

Police angered by cuts to their benefits held Rafael Correa captive for 12 hours.

The Ecuadorian military stormed a hospital in Quito yesterday and freed Correa, who appears to have been unharmed in the incident. On Wednesday the government passed a law that eliminated the medals and bonuses that accompany promotions for police officers, and in response police caused chaos by shutting down airports and blocking roads across the country. Correa was nearly asphyxiated by tear gas when he went to negotiate with police, and was at the hospital being treated for his injuries when the police detained him. Five soldiers were wounded in the fight. Correa called the incident a coup attempt, and Bolivian President Evo Morales called an emergency meeting of South American leaders set for today in Buenos Ares.