GUAYAQUIL, Ecuador — In an unprecedented act of violence, a television station in Guayaquil, Ecuador was attacked by a group of armed, masked men during a live broadcast. The terrifying incident shed light on the country’s escalating violence following the recent escape of a prominent drug gang leader from prison. This event, captured live on TC Television, left thousands of viewers in shock as the armed assailants threatened presenters and studio workers with firearms and explosives, culminating in the arrest of 13 individuals by police.
The surge in violence in Ecuador began in February 2021 with a massacre at the country’s most dangerous prison, which resulted in the death of at least 79 inmates. Subsequent prison clashes have left over 450 people dead, with the violence spilling out onto the streets in the form of kidnappings, murders, robberies, and extortion. The situation has resulted in Ecuador experiencing its bloodiest year on record, with over 7,600 homicides in the past year, marking a significant increase from the previous year.
To address the crisis, President Daniel Noboa has implemented a state of emergency and curfew, granting the police and armed forces authority to enforce compliance with these measures. In response to the attack on TC Television, the government issued a decree recognizing an armed domestic conflict and identifying several organizations as “terrorists and belligerent non-state actors.” Additionally, the armed forces have been authorized to undertake military operations to neutralize these groups.
Authorities attribute the surge in criminal violence to disputes between gangs for control of the penitentiaries, drug smuggling routes, and turf for the sale of drugs. The impact of the violence has disrupted daily life for Ecuadorians, forcing many businesses to close due to extortion. Ecuador’s former defense minister, Luis Hernández, has voiced support for the president’s actions, emphasizing the need to send a clear message to the population to not succumb to fear and chaos.
In summary, the attack on TC Television in Guayaquil, Ecuador has brought to light the escalating violence in the country following the recent escape of a prominent drug gang leader, prompting the government to declare a state of emergency and take aggressive measures to address the situation. The surge in criminal violence, stemming from disputes between gangs, has not only claimed hundreds of lives but has also disrupted the daily lives of Ecuadorians, causing businesses to shutter due to extortion.