GUAYAQUIL, Ecuador — A group of armed individuals stormed the set of a public television channel in the port city of Guayaquil, Ecuador, leading to a broadcast interruption and threatening the safety of those present. In a shocking display, masked men burst into the TC Television network and loudly claimed to possess bombs. Disturbing sounds resembling gunshots reverberated in the background.
This intrusion is part of a larger wave of violence that has struck Ecuador following the implementation of a state of emergency by the government. The measure was enacted in response to the apparent escape of a powerful gang leader from prison. Explosions and the abduction of multiple police officers have rocked the nation, generating fear and uncertainty among its citizens.
Reports indicate that four police officers were kidnapped and remain missing as of Monday night. One officer was taken in the capital city of Quito, and three others were seized in the city of Quevedo. Additionally, law enforcement agents arrested two individuals suspected of involvement in the attacks and possession of explosive materials. The total number of registered attacks has not been disclosed by the government, but local media accounts recount several incidents, including vehicle arsons in northern cities and an explosion near the residence of the president of the National Justice Court in Quito.
Authorities have not released information on the perpetrators nor confirmed whether these attacks are part of a coordinated effort. However, previous instances of violence have been attributed to drug gangs operating within Ecuador. In recent years, the country has experienced a surge in drug-related crime, with elevated rates of homicides and kidnappings.
The most recent string of violence can be traced back to the escape of gang leader Adolfo Macías, also known as “Fito,” from a low-security prison. Macías, who was scheduled to be transferred to a maximum-security facility, was reported missing. The circumstances of his escape remain unclear. Two guards have been charged in connection with the incident.
On Monday, President Daniel Noboa declared a 60-day state of emergency, granting authorities the power to suspend civil rights and deploy military forces, particularly in prisons. To further combat the rising crime rates, a curfew has been imposed from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. In a statement on Instagram, President Noboa expressed his determination to restore peace to Ecuador and stated his administration’s commitment to addressing crime.
Instances of violence have become all too common in Ecuador, leading to the use of states of emergency as a measure to combat the problem. The attacks launched shortly after President Noboa’s announcement illustrate the challenges faced by the government in maintaining law and order. Macías, the gang leader who escaped, was serving a 34-year prison sentence in La Regional prison in Guayaquil. The Los Choneros gang, to which he belongs, has been identified by authorities as one of the major gangs responsible for the surge in violence. The gang is known to have connections with Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel.
Experts and authorities acknowledge that gang members often wield significant influence from within Ecuador’s prisons. Macías is believed to have continued directing his criminal activities even while incarcerated.
With the recent incidents highlighting the growing threat of organized crime, Ecuador struggles to regain stability and ensure the safety of its citizens. The government’s actions to address the situation reflect the gravity of the challenges it faces.