Masked gunmen recently invaded a live television studio in Ecuador, causing panic among the staff.
The incident occurred during a broadcast by the public television channel TC in Guayaquil. The armed assailants forced employees to the floor before the live feed was abruptly cut.
Police successfully freed all the staff and apprehended 13 individuals, showcasing the weapons confiscated during the operation.
This alarming event unfolded against the backdrop of a 60-day state of emergency declared in Ecuador following the mysterious disappearance of notorious gangster Adolfo Macías Villamar, also known as Fito, from prison.
While the connection between the TV studio attack and Fito’s escape remains uncertain, the situation has escalated tensions in the region.
In response, neighboring Peru has deployed a police force to the border to prevent potential instability spilling over.
The United States condemned the “brazen attacks” in Ecuador and pledged close coordination with President Daniel Noboa’s government, offering readiness to assist.
Ecuador, known for being a major banana exporter, has faced a surge in violence linked to battles between drug cartels vying for control over cocaine routes to the US and Europe.
During the TV station assault, gunmen threatened staff with firearms, including a pump-action shotgun and a revolver.
Terrified pleas and screams were audible during the incident.
A TC employee shared their distress, revealing that the criminals had taken control of the broadcast.
Police, sharing videos of the arrested suspects on social media, declared that those responsible would be “punished for terrorist acts.”
President Noboa declared an “internal armed conflict” in the country, mobilizing the armed forces to combat “transnational organized crime, terrorist organizations, and belligerent non-state actors.”
The president’s response follows a series of prison riots, escapes, and violent acts attributed to criminal gangs.
The state of emergency, initiated on Monday, imposes a nightly curfew to curb violence.
Security forces are working to restore order in multiple jails where riots erupted.
The chaos includes criminal gang-related attacks in Guayaquil, resulting in eight deaths and three injuries, along with the killing of two police officers in Nobol.
In Riobamba, nearly 40 inmates, including a convicted drug lord, escaped from a prison.
Seven police officers were kidnapped, and a video circulated on social media showing the hostages issuing threats.
Amid security concerns, the government compound in Quito was evacuated, causing unease among residents.
The situation has led to heightened nervousness, early departures from work, increased traffic, and widespread alarm.
The attack on the TV station in Guayaquil has shocked Ecuadorians, raising questions about the country’s security.
Ecuador has grappled with violent clashes among rival gangs within its prisons in recent years.
The Choneros, a potent prison gang, has been implicated in numerous deadly prison incidents.
Fito’s escape, just hours before his planned transfer, dealt a blow to President Noboa’s government, already facing challenges since assuming office in November.
The country continues to navigate a complex security landscape, marked by both internal and external threats.
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