Guayaquil/Quito: Ecuador was plunged into a series of violent incidents on Tuesday, culminating in the harrowing takeover of a television station by armed individuals during a live broadcast. President Daniel Noboa, amid escalating turmoil, identified 22 gangs as terrorist entities and military targets.
In a startling event, 13 gunmen seized control of the TC television station, broadcasting scenes of chaos and fear for around 20 minutes. Meanwhile, separate reports emerged of at least seven police officers being abducted and multiple explosions resonating across the nation.
President Noboa, who assumed office with a vow to curb drug-related violence, declared a 60-day state of emergency following prison unrest and the apparent escape of a prominent gang leader. Noboa's revised decree acknowledged an "internal armed conflict" and categorized nearly two dozen gangs, including Los Choneros, as terrorist groups.
Addressing the unsettling developments, Admiral Jaime Vela, the head of the armed forces, linked the upheaval to the government's crackdown on criminal networks. He emphasized that all groups identified in Noboa's decree were now designated as military targets.
The nation's plan to construct a high-security prison and relocate gang leaders has triggered a violent response, a recurrent outcome historically associated with such moves, resulting in a high toll of inmate casualties in recent years.
The unrest in Ecuador has prompted neighboring nations like Peru to declare emergencies along their borders. Conversely, Brazil, Colombia, and Chile have expressed solidarity with Ecuador's government in managing the crisis.
The invasion of TC's studio in Guayaquil unfolded live on television, depicting individuals in balaclavas brandishing firearms and intimidating station employees. Gunshots and distressing scenes unfolded, with the attackers explicitly expressing a lack of tolerance for law enforcement.
Police efforts led to the arrest of the gunmen, confiscating explosives and firearms, ultimately freeing all hostages. However, the aftermath revealed two injured employees as the channel resumed its evening news broadcast, while ongoing investigations were conducted at the site.
Simultaneously, incidents of police abductions, explosions in various regions, and prison escapes unfolded, intensifying the nation's state of unrest. While authorities have not attributed any specific cause to the explosions, efforts to apprehend the perpetrators and secure affected areas remain ongoing.
Ecuadorian society's confidence in Noboa's security strategies has come under scrutiny, given the persisting violence, which mirrors challenges faced by his predecessor. Noboa's proposed plebiscite on security strategies this year aims to address these concerns.
The surge in violent deaths, nearly doubling from 2022 to 2023, has underscored the gravity of the situation, prompting concerns beyond the nation's borders and impacting financial markets, with Ecuadorian sovereign bonds experiencing a significant downturn.
Amid these distressing developments, institutions like the University of Guayaquil have refuted rumors about criminal incursions, seeking to quell misinformation circulating on social media.
The ramifications of the violence have extended to financial markets, with Ecuadorian bonds taking a hit, marking a troubling turn in an already tumultuous situation.
—Input from Agencies