2024-01-10 01:22:00
Police chase an alleged criminal a few blocks from the headquarters of the TC television channel, where hooded armed men entered and subdued its staff during a live broadcast, in Guayaquil (Ecuador).
Photo: EFE – Mauricio Torres
For two days, Ecuador has been going through an unprecedented wave of violence, with vandalism in all major cities, prisoner escapes and prison riots. Added to this was the takeover of a public television channel.
A group of criminals took over Channel 10 in Ecuador this Tuesday, January 9. In the midst of a live broadcast, cameras captured the moment in which men with rifles and grenades burst onto the scene and threatened journalists and media workers. At around 4:00 pm, the police reported that the situation at the canal was under control.
“We are live so you know that you should not play with the mafias,” one of them said before the cameras.
???????? | URGENT: Televisora TC of Guayaquil in Ecuador: In an unprecedented event, several armed men kidnap in the middle of a live television broadcast. pic.twitter.com/k3llUAp6yV
— Alerta News 24 (@AlertNews24) January 9, 2024
According to the newspaper El Universo, at 2:39 p.m. the signal was cut locally, but internationally the transmission continued for a few more minutes. A stick of dynamite was placed in journalist José Luis Calderón’s pocket, as seen in the following video.
???? #URGENT | They placed explosives in the jacket of journalist José Luis Calderón while the criminals attacked the TC television station in Quito, Ecuador. pic.twitter.com/9ESG7yGxYW
— World in Conflict ???? (@MundoEConflicto) January 9, 2024
???? We suggest: Ecuador is in a state of emergency after prison riots and the alleged escape of a drug trafficker
The takeover of Channel 10 occurs in the midst of a hectic start for the country: the kidnappings of police officers, the escape of two prison bosses, riots in prisons and attacks with explosives in the streets have put the president of Ecuador in check. Daniel Noboa, who has been in office for less than two months.
“These are extremely difficult days because (…) the important decision is to face these threats with terrorist characteristics head-on,” said the government’s Secretary of Communication, Roberto Izurieta, in an interview with the digital channel Visionarias.
Crisis in Ecuador: what were the triggers?
- 1️⃣ The escape from a prison of Adolfo Macías, alias “Fito”, head of the main criminal gang known as Los Choneros, triggered the crisis on Sunday. This led the Ecuadorian government to order a 60-day state of emergency on Monday. The drug trafficker’s response was immediate.
- 2️⃣ On Tuesday, the authorities reported the escape of another drug leader, Fabricio Colón Pico, one of the leaders of Los Lobos, arrested on Friday for the crime of kidnapping and his alleged responsibility in a plan to assassinate the attorney general.
???? You may be interested in: Who is the dangerous capo “Fito” and what is known about his escape from prison in Ecuador
- 3️⃣ Added to the escapes is the kidnapping of seven police officers who were kidnapped in Machala (southwest), Quito and in the Province of Los Ríos (southwest). There were also explosions against a police station, the home of the president of the National Court and vehicles set on fire.
- There are no reports of deaths or injuries. On the other hand, there have been a series of riots in the country’s prisons. The takeover of Channel 10 only deepened the security crisis.
???? Follow minute by minute:
The US supports Ecuador in the face of security crisis
The Undersecretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs of the United States Department of State, Brian Nichols, reaffirmed his country’s support for Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa.
“(I am) extremely concerned about the current violence and kidnappings in Ecuador. The United States supports the people of Ecuador. We are ready to provide assistance to the Ecuadorian government and will remain in close contact with the President,” Nichols stated.
First death toll after attacks in Guayaquil
The mayor of Guayaquil, Aquiles Álvarez, gave a first toll of eight dead and two injured after the attacks registered today in the city, the epicenter of violence in Ecuador.
Peru will declare the border with Ecuador an emergency
The Government of Peru announced this Tuesday that it will declare the entire northern border of the country in emergency and will send the Armed Forces to monitor the area together with the National Police in the face of the wave of violence unleashed in Ecuador.
“The entire northern border of the country is going to be declared an emergency,” announced the Peruvian Prime Minister, Alberto Otárola, at the end of an urgent meeting he held with several members of the cabinet to analyze the situation facing Ecuador.
Colombia supports Noboa and rejects violence in Ecuador
Through the Foreign Ministry, the Government of Colombia expressed its support for democratic institutions and the rule of law in the sister Republic of Ecuador.
“(Colombia) rejects the recent acts of violence unleashed in several cities of the brother country and expresses its solidarity with those affected. At the same time, the Government of Colombia hopes that the security situation is stabilized and public order is restored, expresses its support for the Government and people of Ecuador and expresses its solidarity with its legitimate authorities, with a view to restoring the spirit of harmony for the benefit of the Ecuadorian people, within the framework of the principles of the rule of law,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
A Security Council is installed to address the situation
The Secretary General of Communications of the Presidency of Ecuador, Roberto Izurieta Canova, reported that a Public Security Council has been installed to analyze the situation in the country. At the end of the meeting, the Government will give statements to the media.
At this time, the State and Public Security Council has just been installed to analyze the situation in the country. Statements will be given at the end of this meeting.
— Roberto Izurieta Canova (@RobertoIzurietC) January 9, 2024
They evacuate the center of Guayaquil
Several businesses and buildings in the center of Guayaquil have closed their doors, given the serious public order situation in the country. The evacuation of dozens of workers has caused intense vehicular traffic to the north and south areas.
The Police regain control of Channel 10
The Ecuadorian Police managed to evacuate the people kidnapped on Channel 10 and were able to restore order in the place. As a result of the intervention, “several subjects and evidence linked to the crime were arrested.”
Given the serious security situation in the country, the Ecuadorian president issued a decree in which he recognizes an internal armed conflict for which he ordered the immediate mobilization of the Military Forces in the national territory.
President Noboa recognizes an “Internal Armed Conflict”
I have signed the executive decree declaring Internal Armed Conflict and identified the following transnational organized crime groups as terrorist organizations and belligerent non-state actors: Águilas, ÁguilasKiller, Ak47, Caballeros Oscuros, ChoneKiller,… pic.twitter.com/rVfSTFmHlG
— Daniel Noboa Azin (@DanielNoboaOk) January 9, 2024
The crisis extends to the National University of Ecuador
Videos of alleged criminals entering the National University of Ecuador have appeared on networks. Teachers and students seek to protect themselves from attacks at this time.
Hours earlier, the National University of Education (UNAE) suspended in-person classes starting at 5:00 p.m. on January 9. The institution indicated that they will go to virtual mode until Friday, January 19, 2024.
Police and military have been searching since Sunday for Fito, who was serving a 34-year sentence in the Guayaquil Regional Prison (southwest) for organized crime, drug trafficking and murder. The Choneros compete with around twenty gangs over drug trafficking routes in a war that is bleeding the country dry.
The Prosecutor’s Office brought charges against two prison officials for their alleged responsibility in the escape of the 44-year-old criminal, who obtained the title of lawyer in prison. The presidential headquarters and metro stations in Quito are militarized.
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