Police fired tear gas into the crowds of pro-government supporters to prevent them from advancing towards the hospital where the President was being kept hostage. Riots broke out in different cities across Ecuador as the police force, in reaction to government cuts, revolted against President Rafael Correa and kept him hostage for over 12 hours in an attempted coup. After an exchange of gunfire the military were able to free the President from Regimiento Quito Hospital where he was being held.
