By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
GUAYAQUIL, ECUADOR (Worthy News) – Gunfire interrupted a live television program in violence-torn Ecuador Tuesday as armed men stormed a studio shortly after gangsters vowed a “war” against the president’s plans to reclaim control from “narcoterrorists.”
Attackers carrying rifles and grenades stormed the studio of state-owned TC television in the port city of Guayaquil, Worthy News monitored.
A woman was heard amid gunshots pleading: “Don’t shoot, please don’t shoot.”
The people, wearing balaclavas and primarily dressed in black, were seen wielding large guns and accosting huddled staffers before the feed eventually cut out.
They forced the terrified crew onto the ground, and a person could be heard screaming in apparent pain as the studio lights went off, but the live broadcast continued.
Ecuadorean President Daniel Noboa declared a 60-day state of emergency. The measure was a response to the apparent escape of Adolfo Macias, leader of the Los Choneros criminal gang, from the prison where he was serving a 34-year sentence and other recent prison incidents, including hostage-takings of guards.
“This is an act that should be considered as a terrorist act,” Ecuador’s national police Chief, César Zapata, told TV channel Teleamazonas about the attack on the television station.
DETAINING INTRUDERS
Following a standoff, police detained all the intruders and seized all weapons and explosives shortly after they stormed the building, he said. Some of the invaders gestured at the camera, and someone could be heard yelling, “No police.”
The national police said on social media it was evacuating the public channel’s studio in Guayaquil, verifying the condition of staff there, and “reestablishing order”
Police in Guayaquil confirmed 13 arrests, and police social media posts showed photos of about 10 young men lying on the floor with their hands zip-tied behind their backs. TC, which broadcasts nationally, shares a site with another public broadcaster, Gamavision, and several radio stations.
The attackers entered through reception at Gamavision, assaulting staff there and leaving dynamite behind, TC news coordinator and reporter Leonardo Flores Moreno added that two people at TC had been injured.
“We don’t know what is happening, people are nervous, there are many colleagues from Gama and TC who are hiding,” Flores told Reuters news agency, adding he could hear helicopters overhead.
The incident reportedly followed the kidnappings of at least seven police officers and a series of explosions a day after Noboa declared a state of emergency.
Noboa, son of one of the country’s wealthiest men, took office in November promising to stem a wave of drug trade-related violence on the streets and in prisons, which has been growing for years.
However, Tuesday’s incident showed that he would face an uphill battle.
Copyright 1999-2024 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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