GUAYAQUIL, Ecuador – A public television channel in Ecuador was thrown into chaos on Tuesday when armed men stormed the set, brandishing guns and explosives during a live broadcast. The incident prompted the president to declare the country in a state of “internal armed conflict.”
The masked intruders, armed with pistols and what appeared to be dynamite, barged into the TC Television network’s studio in the port city of Guayaquil. They interrupted a live news program, causing panic among the station personnel and viewers across the nation. The assailants threatened the presence of bombs and the sound of gunshots could be heard in the background.
Alina Manrique, head of news for TC Television, described the terrifying experience of being held at gunpoint by one of the intruders while in the control room. The assailants fled the studio after about 15 minutes, leading to the station’s signal being cut off.
Following the ordeal, President Daniel Noboa declared a national state of emergency, giving authorities the power to suspend people’s rights and mobilize the military. In response to the escalating violence, he authorized the military to “neutralize” 20 drug trafficking gangs in the country, designating them as terrorist groups.
Authorities apprehended all the masked intruders, arresting 13 individuals in connection to the attack. They will be charged with terrorism, facing a penalty of up to 13 years in prison if convicted. The country has been rocked by a series of attacks, including the escapes of two notorious gang leaders from prison.
In the aftermath of the TV station siege, President Noboa vowed to restore peace in Ecuador and confront the crime wave that has gripped the country. The situation has led to a declaration of a state of emergency along the country’s northern border, which it shares with Peru. U.S. officials are closely monitoring the situation and stand ready to provide assistance to Ecuador.
The recent spike in violence, linked to drug trafficking and gang warfare, has raised concerns about the impact of criminal organizations on the country’s stability. The surge in attacks, abductions, and prison escapes has underscored the challenges facing Ecuador’s law enforcement and judicial system.