So far, three Peruvian helicopters have been shot down, Ecuadorean military officials say.

Four years ago, Ecuadorean officials conducted a rare investigation into the drownings of at least 26 people off northern Guatemala.

Ecuadorean officials have said the accident was a result of human error, with the captain of the tanker, the Jessica, confusing a buoy for a lighthouse.

Using helicopters, mortars, planes and infantry units, Peru repeatedly attacked two border posts, Ecuadorean officials said today.

Ecuadorean officials assured investors that the Government would not default on a $93.5 million bond payment later this month, but markets were skeptical.

Working with Colombian and Ecuadorean officials, the United States used the ransom to trace the kidnappers.

The State Department said that the investigation remained in the hands of the Ecuadorean officials and that Washington planned no independent action.

Ecuadorean officials, however, dismiss those as unworkable.

Ecuadorean officials estimate the value of sucres in circulation, calculated at the new official exchange rate, at $450 million.

Ecuadorean officials say they have uncovered and destroyed several small cocaine processing labs in the Amazon region in recent months.