QUITO, ECUADOR (BNO NEWS) – Ecuadorian president Rafael Correa arrived on Thursday night at the presidential palace after being rescued from a Quito hospital where he was being held by police officers protesting a new law that eliminated benefits for military members and police officers.

Policemen were demanding that the government of Correa reinstate the benefits eliminated in the new Public Service law. The protesters also demanded the resignation of the police force leaders.

"In the beginning they took away the Christmas toys of our children and now our bonuses and awards. They have passed the last of our patience," a police officer declared in anonymity.

On Thursday morning, President Correa arrived to the building of "Regimiento Quito 1," the largest police headquarters of the city to talk with the protesters. Correa said that policemen earn more than in past governments and labeled protesters as ungrateful.

"Fight for things that deserve fighting for," Correa told the protesters. "We know we have not managed to solve all issues but we are working on it. Remember how much a police officer earned before my administration."

While the president was talking, police officers booed him and began chants in favor of former President Lucio Gutiérrez. Correa responded by saying that he will not comply with the demands and challenged them to kill him if they want but he will not step back.

As unrest grew, protesters began burning tires and throwing tear gas grenades at buildings, vehicles and officials. Correa was injured after a tear gas grenade exploded above his head. A helicopter intended to transport the Ecuadorian leader but due to the ongoing unrest was unable to land.

President Correa holed up inside a hospital where he was receiving treatment. However, the building was quickly surrounded by renegade police officers who prevented him from leaving.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said via Twitter that groups were trying to overthrow Correa and called for unity and alerted the members of Union of South American Nations. Moments later, Correa said that a coup attempt was underway and declared a state of emergency in all of Ecuador for five days.

In response to the attacks, Peruvian President Alan Garcia ordered the closure of the Peru-Ecuador border and expressed his support to Correa's administration. Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos also ordered the closure of the Colombia-Ecuador border.

Shortly after 9:00 p.m. EDT, intense gunfire and explosions were heard outside the hospital where President Correa was holed up, as a military operation to free him got underway.

After 35 minutes of gunfight between soldiers and renegade police officers, the military took control of the hospital and the president was evacuated. He arrived minutes later at the presidential palace.

"We will never give in and we will never negotiate under duress," Correa told supports from the presidential balcony. "Believe me that when I was freed and they told me that there was one policeman fallen, I cried, not out of fear, but sadness."

Ecuadorian Defense Minister Javier Ponce told Mexican TV station MilenioTV that Correa gave the ministry green light for a military operation to free him at around 5 p.m. local time. Ponce said that around 400 soldiers participated in the operation.

According to the Ecuadorian Red Cross, at least two policemen were killed when the army stormed the hospital to free Correa. At least 74 people were injured throughout the day.

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