Peru declares emergency on northern border as violence rocks Ecuador

Ecuadorean President Daniel Noboa issued a decree earlier on Tuesday classifying 22 gangs as terrorist organizations, shortly after armed assailants took over a TV studio during a live broadcast, in the latest example of escalating lawlessness in the country. Earlier in the day, Peru's interior minister ordered the "immediate" deployment of police to the border in a bid to boost security.

(Recasts with emergency declaration) LIMA, Jan 9 (Reuters) -

Peru's government declared on Tuesday an emergency along its northern border with Ecuador as a surge of violence largely blamed on criminal gangs in the neighboring nation plays out. Prime Minister Alberto Otarola made the announcement, noting that the emergency declaration would deploy an unspecified number of army troops to support police forces.

Peru's defense and interior ministers will also travel to the border to coordinate operations, according to the prime minister. Ecuadorean President Daniel Noboa issued a decree earlier on Tuesday classifying 22 gangs as terrorist organizations, shortly after

armed assailants took over a TV studio during a live broadcast, in the latest example of escalating lawlessness in the country.

Earlier in the day, Peru's interior minister ordered the "immediate" deployment of police to the border in a bid to boost security.

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