The situation in the cities of Ecuador remains unsettled – criminal gangs have become more active there, there are riots on the streets, and a special situation has been introduced in the country. This information was disseminated by the Ecuadorian Ministry of Internal Affairs.
According to preliminary data, during the riots, eight people were killed and two more were injured of varying degrees of severity. Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa declared an “internal armed conflict” in the country and ordered the army to “neutralize criminal gangs that have taken hostages in different cities of the country.” He explained that “narco-terrorist groups” are trying to intimidate the government.
In response to the emergency declared by the president, the Ecuadorian mafia staged riots and clashes throughout the country.
Tanks were sent to the capital of Quito.
The situation worsened after members of a criminal group attacked the TC Television channel in the city of Guayaquil, took journalists hostage and held them for several hours, writes El Universo. During a special police operation, 13 members of the armed group were eventually detained and sent to pre-trial detention centers. According to journalists, they are all related to one of the major Ecuadorian criminal groups.
After the situation with the TV channel in Guayaquil, shops and shopping centers began to close, and the University of Guayaquil was evacuated. A number of government agencies have switched to remote work as a preventive measure.
Criminals also rioted in several prisons.
Let us remind you that the situation in Ecuador sharply worsened on January 7 after the leader of the Los Choneros criminal group, nicknamed Fito, escaped from prison. He served 12 years in a Guayaquil prison and heads the country’s largest gang, Los Choneros. Also, the leader of the Los Lobos criminal group, specializing in drug trafficking, Fabricio Colon Pico, nicknamed Captain Pico, escaped from prison in the city of Riobamba along with 31 other prisoners.
Source: Rosbalt
Mario Twitchell is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his insightful and thought-provoking writing on a wide range of topics including general and opinion. He currently works as a writer at 247 news agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
