Ecuador came under multiple violent attacks on Tuesday, including the on-air invasion of a TV station by gunmen, as President Daniel Noboa took names of 22 gangs as terrorist organizations and military targets.
13 gunmen who took over a television station TC during a live broadcast, were arrested by the police. Meanwhile, in other parts of the country, at least seven police officers were kidnapped and there were several explosions around the country.
Take over of TC’s studio in Guayaquil was broadcast for nearly 20 minutes, as masked gunmen wearing mostly black accosted the people in the studio and shoved them to the floor. Sound of Gunshots and yelling prevailed on live television, while some of the invaders pointed at the camera, while someone yelled ‘no police’.
The new President who took office in November promised to stem drug trade-related violence. Following through which he declared a 60-day state of emergency on Monday in response to prison violence – including hostage-takings of guards by inmates – and the apparent escape of Los Choneros gang leader Adolfo Macias over the weekend.
Noboa revised the decree and recognized an “internal armed conflict” and identified nearly two dozen gangs as terrorist groups, including Los Choneros. The government has said the violence is a retaliation of Noboa’s declaration to build a new high security prison and transfer jailed gang leaders.
“Today’s events show that the actions and decisions taken by the national government are gravely affecting criminal structures, and as an answer they have created a wave of violence to frighten the populace,” Admiral Jaime Vela, head of the joint command of the armed forces, said following a meeting with Noboa on security measures with .
All the groups mentioned in Noboa’s decree are now military targets, Vela added. Prison transfers of major leaders have historically led to violence. Hundreds of inmates have been killed in recent years.
The unrest in Ecuador led Peru’s government to declare an emergency along its border with Ecuador, while Brazil, Colombia and Chile expressed their support for the Ecuadorean government.
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