Ecuador’s government has decided to allow citizens to carry and use guns, the country’s president, Guillermo Lasso, announced in a televised address, citing the rise in crime and insecurity in the Latin American nation.

Mr. Lasso, a conservative former banker, is struggling to stem the tide of crime on the country’s streets and in prisons, which his government blames on drug-trafficking gangs.

The president made the announcement as he faces trial and possible suspension from parliament, as the opposition accuses him of abuse and corruption, charges he denies. The opposition project last week secured the green light from the Constitutional Court.

“We have a common enemy,” the president said, which is “criminality, drug trafficking, organized crime,” Mr Lasso said via Twitter.

To address insecurity, he added, his government will allow citizens to carry and use weapons.

“We amended a decree that allows the possession and carrying of weapons. In other words, generally (…) the possession and carrying of firearms for use by citizens in lawful defense is permitted, in accordance with the requirements of the legislation and regulations in force.”

Citizens will also be allowed to carry and use pepper spray, Mr Lasso said.

The president declared a state of emergency over the weekend in Guayaquil, the country’s major port and financial capital, two nearby cities (Duran, Saborondon), as well as Santa Elena and Los Rios.

The state of emergency, which came into effect yesterday, includes a nighttime curfew (from 01:00 to 05:00). President Lasso did not specify how long the measure would last.