Ecuador TV Studio Ambushed by Armed Intruders in Live Broadcast

Masked men armed with guns and explosives stormed a public television channel in Guayaquil, Ecuador during a live broadcast on Tuesday, prompting the country’s president to declare it an “internal armed conflict.” The assailants, who entered the TC Television network set brandishing pistols and what appeared to be dynamite, shouted threats and claimed to have bombs. The incident, which was broadcasted live, lasted for about 15 minutes before the station’s signal was cut off. Despite the chaos, no casualties were reported.

The motive behind the attack and other recent violent incidents in Ecuador remains unclear. These events follow the apparent escapes of two powerful drug gang leaders from prison. Alina Manrique, the head of news at TC Television, recounted her experience of the attack, revealing that she was in the control room when the masked men stormed the building. One of the intruders held a gun to her head and ordered her to the floor. Some of the attackers attempted to hide when they realized they were surrounded by police.

The Ecuadorian government has not disclosed the exact number of attacks that have occurred since the escapes of the gang leaders. However, in response to the escalating violence, President Daniel Noboa declared a state of emergency, granting authorities the power to suspend individuals’ rights and mobilize the military in locations such as prisons. Noboa also designated 20 drug trafficking gangs as terrorist groups and authorized the military to “neutralize” them within the limits of international humanitarian law.

The police chief of Ecuador announced that all the masked intruders had been arrested, and 13 individuals were detained. The attorney general’s office stated that the 13 detainees would be charged with terrorism, carrying a potential prison sentence of up to 13 years. The government has not confirmed whether the attacks were coordinated or if they are linked to the escapes of the gang leaders.

The Los Choneros gang, believed to have connections with Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel, is one of the criminal organizations responsible for the surge in violence and drug trafficking in Ecuador. The whereabouts of Adolfo Macías, also known as “Fito” and the leader of Los Choneros, remain unknown after his escape from a low-security prison. Another gang leader, Fabricio Colón Pico of the Los Lobos group, also escaped from a prison in Riobamba. These incidents have further highlighted the issue of gang control within Ecuador’s detention facilities.

President Noboa expressed his determination to restore peace in Ecuador and confront crime. States of emergency have been previously utilized to address the country’s violence under his predecessor, Guillermo Lasso. The situation remains tense as authorities continue their investigations and efforts to combat the escalating violence and drug-related activities.