At least eight people have been killed in separate incidents involving criminal gangs in the Ecuadorian city of Guayaquil. According to the police, more than twenty relevant incidents have been registered in the port city and more than 600 emergency calls have been received.
Armed men broke into the premises of the state television channel TC Television on Tuesday afternoon and took several employees hostage. Special police units later regained control of the station. Even the next day, it was still unclear whether there were any deaths or injuries in the incident.
Also raids on shopping centers and hospitals
Two security guards and another person were killed in a shopping center. Criminals also broke into and briefly occupied five hospitals in the city. The police and army later brought the hospitals back under control. A total of fourteen suspects have been arrested.
Facing escalating gang violence, President Daniel Noboa sent the armed forces into battle against the country’s powerful gangs. Ecuador is embroiled in an internal armed conflict in the fight against organized crime, according to a decree published on Tuesday.
State of emergency due to anarchy in prisons
Due to chaotic prison conditions, the government only declared a state of emergency on Monday. Gangs fought fiercely in prisons and took guards hostage. According to the prison management, the head of the powerful gang “Los Choneros”, Adolfo Macias alias “Fito”, has apparently managed to escape.
Violence in Ecuador has increased dramatically in recent years. With around 25 murders per 100,000 inhabitants, one of the highest levels in Latin America was recorded in 2022.
Source: Krone
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