Executive Order: Ecuador Goes Into "Internal Armed Conflict"
Declaring an "internal armed conflict," President Daniel Noboa of Ecuador has given security forces orders to "neutralize" several criminal organizations suspected of inciting extreme violence within the South American nation.
Chaos on Live Broadcast: Armed Attackers Take Over TC Television
The decree was issued soon after armed and hooded men disrupted a live television program. On Tuesday, multiple violent incidents were occurring all over the nation. In the coastal city of Guayaquil, there have also been reports of armed people at a hospital and a university by local media outlets. Ecuadorians watched in disbelief as the live broadcast of the network based in Guayaquil was taken over. The attackers were heard firing shots and yelling in the background as they forced the TC Television employees onto the studio floor. A video from social media captured the incident at the network owned by the state.
This is the moment armed men broke into a public TV station in Ecuador and threatened people live on air.
Live television images broadcast on Tuesday showed hooded people - some waving guns - inside Ecuador's TC Television station in Guayaquilhttps://t.co/Ft1WUMdyJh pic.twitter.com/TxztQHpnkM— Sky News (@SkyNews) January 10, 2024
Source: Sky News
Safety Guaranteed: Police Apprehend Assailants, Remove TC Television Employees, Seize Weapons, Await Terrorism Charges
Ecuadorian police have detained 13 people, including TC Television employees, and seized weapons, awaiting terrorism charges. The network's general commander, César Zapata, confirmed that all staff members and hostages were alive and that the media outlet had been evacuated. The takeover of the show was described as a "very violent attack" by Jorge Rendon, anchor for TC Television. Rendon recalled that the attackers wanted to enter the studio to express their message. The media outlet is now awaiting justice for those responsible for the acts of terrorism.
Equipos tácticos del #GIR y el #GOE de @PoliciaEcuador toman el control de las instalaciones de TC Televisión.
Además, se captura a varios de los sujetos implicados en el hecho. pic.twitter.com/uID07Hwby2— Ministerio del Interior Ecuador 🇪🇨 (@MinInteriorEc) January 9, 2024
Source: Ministry of the Interior Ecuador @MinInteriorEc (X)
Public Fear: Ecuadorians Stunned by Unprecedented Violence
Following the death of Fernando Villavicencio in Quito, Ecuador, protestors waved Ecuadorian flags during a demonstration. A woman who lived outside Guayaquil experienced tumultuous traffic on her way home, observing businesses closing and people running frantically on roads meant for cars, including women and children. The desperation and chaos were the most terrifying aspects of the situation.
State of Emergency: President Noboa's Decisive Measures
Adolfo Fito" Macias, a prominent gang leader, escaped from prison in Guayaquil, prompting President Noboa to declare a nationwide state of emergency. Since then, the nation has experienced explosions, police kidnappings, and prison disturbances. The 60-day state of emergency will involve the police and armed forces to maintain public order. A curfew is in place to prevent gatherings that could endanger public order. Noboa's predecessor, former President Guillermo Lasso, has declared multiple states of emergency.
El presidente @DanielNoboaOk dispone la movilización e intervención de las @FFAAECUADOR y @PoliciaEcuador en el territorio nacional para garantizar la soberanía del país contra el crimen organizado. pic.twitter.com/nSoC84GBFe— Presidencia Ecuador 🇪🇨 (@Presidencia_Ec) January 9, 2024
Source: Presidencia Ecuador @Presidencia_Ec (X)
Abductions and Explosions, Triggering Widespread Violence
Since the state of emergency was made public, at least seven police agents have been abducted in three cities. The new president, who won the run-off election last year, is facing his most severe test in the form of spiralling violence. Rival criminal organizations are primarily responsible for the nation's deteriorating security situation. They have been engaging in ruthless acts of violence in the streets and prisons. An explosive device was detonated in a vehicle during a kidnapping, and police responded to over 20 emergencies in different parts of the country. No casualties are currently known related to the explosions.
#ElNuevoEcuador responde con acciones concretas a los problemas de seguridad que afronta el país.
“No descansaremos hasta devolverle la paz a todos los ecuatorianos.” Presidente @DanielNoboaOk pic.twitter.com/kTvA5Xiw9W— Presidencia Ecuador 🇪🇨 (@Presidencia_Ec) January 8, 2024
Source: Presidencia Ecuador @Presidencia_Ec (X)
Neighbour's Response
Peru plans to declare an emergency over its northern border region due to Ecuadorian unrest, and the interior minister has instructed the National Police to increase security.
Adolfo Macías, head of the Los Choneros gang. Source: X
Prison Chaos and Manhunt Continue: "Fito" Macias Search Gets Tougher
Prison unrest in Ecuador has escalated with at least six incidents, including disturbances and the detention of penitentiary agents, according to the SNAI. The situation in prisons is out of control, with 38 prisoners escaping, including, one who was apprehended last Friday. President Daniel Noboa issued a state of emergency on January 9, 2024, due to the escape of dangerous gang leader Adolfo Macias. The Armed Forces of Ecuador conducted control operations in the affected areas, and at least four police officers were kidnapped. The situation has led to 12 prisoners being apprehended again.
Source: TC Television (X)
To address national unrest and threats to public order, Ecuador's National Assembly is calling an urgent meeting. With over 3,000 police officers and armed forces deployed, the search for Adolfo Macias, also known as "Fito," is still ongoing. The head of Los Choneros, Macias, is connected to the maritime drug trade between Mexico and the United States. He was imprisoned for trafficking in drugs. His escape's precise time and date are still a mystery. Fernando Villavicencio, the late presidential candidate, cautioned against carrying out his anti-gang violence campaign for the leadership.
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