In Ecuador, the armed forces are now tasked with eliminating the country’s most powerful gangs. The government said Tuesday that the gangs are terrorist organizations and non-state war parties. Shortly before, armed men stormed the TC Televisión building in the port city of Guayaquil during a live broadcast (see video above).
They took a number of employees hostage. Shots and people screaming could be heard on the recordings. Special police units later regained control of the television station and arrested thirteen suspects. Weapons and explosives were seized, police said.
The security cabinet then met at the government headquarters in Carondelet. “We will not allow terrorist groups to disturb the peace in the country,” President Daniel Noba said. That is why the armed forces were sent to battle the most powerful gangs in the South American country. The military would carry out operations against about twenty criminal organizations. “All these groups are now military targets,” said army chief Jaime Vela.
Here you can see a message from the Security Cabinet meeting.
Soldiers in the center, schools closed
In addition, soldiers in armored vehicles patrolled the historic center of the capital Quito. All schools in the country will remain closed until the end of the week. Due to chaotic conditions in Ecuador’s prisons, the government only declared a state of emergency on Monday. Criminal gangs fought fiercely and took guards hostage. According to prison authorities, two powerful leaders managed to escape.
Ties to Mexican cartels
Multiple gangs battle for control of drug trafficking routes. They have ties to powerful Mexican cartels, and Albanian drug traffickers are now said to be involved. Ecuador is a major transit country for cocaine from South America that is smuggled to the United States and Europe.
The security situation in the South American country had recently deteriorated significantly. The murder rate of about 46.5 murders per 100,000 inhabitants last year was the highest in the Andean country’s history. Presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio, who promised to fight corruption, was shot dead in August after a campaign rally.
Source: Krone
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