THOUSANDS marched through Ecuadorian capital Quito on Thursday to defend former president Rafael Correa, after an order was made for his arrest on kidnapping charges.

Ecuador issued an extradition order for Mr Correa — who is living in Belgium — after he failed to appear in a Quito courtroom as part of investigations over his alleged role in the failed 2012 kidnapping of opposition politician Fernando Balda in Bogota, Colombia.

Mr Correa denies the allegations warning of a “power ploy by the government to stamp out opposition,” saying that instead of silencing him it will instead push him back to the front line of politics.

His supporters poured onto the streets with banners with the slogan: “No Neoliberalism” as they made their way to the offices of Ecuadorian President Lenin Moreno but were blocked by police and military forces.

Mr Moreno has been accused of “betraying” the legacy of Mr Correa and serving big business and private enterprise.

Mr Correa believes that the warrant will not be valid in Belgium and hinted at a potential return to front-line politics, pointing to the support of “millions of Ecuadorians.”