Ecuador Defense Minister Dies In Air Crash

Defense Minister Guadalupe Larriva died Wednesday in a helicopter collision in the port city of Manta, a government spokeswoman said.

"We can confirm the death of the minister, of one of her children and two pilots in the crash of two helicopters," Monica Chuji told The Associated Press.

More details were not immediately available about the wreck near the military base in Manta, 260 kilometers southeast of the Ecuadorean capital of Quito.

Appointed by fledgeling President Rafael Correa, the 50-year-old minister was Ecuador's first female defense chief. She had previously served as president of Ecuador's Socialist Party.

Taking office on Jan. 15, Larriva also became the first armed forces chief who never previously served in the military.