Daring Attack on Live TV
During a live broadcast, masked gunmen armed with pistols and apparent explosives stormed the set of the public television channel TC Television in Guayaquil, Ecuador, prompting fear and confusion. According to Alina Manrique, head of news at TC Television, one of the men pointed a gun at her while directing her to the floor. Gunshot-like noises were heard in the backdrop, though injuries, if any, have not been made clear.
Presidential Action and Nationwide Turmoil
On the heels of a prison escape by a notorious gang leader, several potentially related violent incidents have rocked Ecuador—including the kidnapping of police officers—and pushed President Daniel Noboa to issue emergency decrees. One decree elevates the crisis to an “internal armed conflict,” and another labels 20 drug trafficking gangs as terrorists authorized for military neutralization.
Authorities Respond
Ecuador’s National Police Chief César Zapata announced the quick arrest of 13 individuals involved in the TC Television attack, obtaining the gunmen’s weapons and supposedly capturing explosives. This incident is deemed a terrorist act by the authorities.
Criminal Chaos and a Feared Gang
The assailants, allegedly linked with the Los Choneros gang and Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel, have contributed to a surge in drug-related violence. Their leader’s recent unknown whereabouts has spawned an array of rampant aggressive crimes, showcasing their widespread influence even from within prisons.
Measures and Mystery
In an assertive move, President Noboa, who promised peace restoration on social media, enacted a 60-day national state of emergency, widening authorities’ control and implementation of a night curfew.
A Heavy History
With past instances of similar security crises, the current predicament revisits former struggles and opens queries about prison impartiality, gubernatorial efficacy, and national stability in Ecuador. The precedence of emergency declarations by previous administrations highlights the enduring challenge of countering pervasive gang control and related violence across the country.
This story was first published on timesofisrael.com.