On Tuesday, January 9, 2024, Gunmen with explosives stormed a TV station on-air in Ecuador during a wave of violence around the nation that prompted President Daniel Noboa to name 22 gangs as terrorist organizations to be hunted by the military.

The Police rescued the TV staff and arrested the 13 men who burst into TC’s studio during a live broadcast with long-range guns, grenades and dynamites, according to witnesses in the coastal city of Guayaquil.

Meanwhile, at least seven Police officers were kidnapped and there were several explosions in another area in Ecuador.

Speaking on the incident, the Deputy Director of the interrupted news program, Jorge Rendon said, “Thank God, we are alive, because it was an extremely violent attack.”

President Daniel Noboa, who took office in November, 2023, promising to stem drug-related violence, declared a 60-day state of emergency on Monday, January 8, 2024  in response to prison violence – including hostage-takings of guards by inmates – and the apparent escape of Los Choneros gang leader, Adolfo Macias over the weekend.

Following the recent development, on Tuesday, Janauary 9, 2024, Noboa declared nearly two dozen gangs terrorist groups, including Los Choneros.

Reacting to the incident, the Government has said the violence is a reaction to Noboa’s plan to build a new high security prison for gang leaders. “They have created a wave of violence to frighten the populace,” said Admiral Jaime Vela, Head of the Joint Command of the Armed Forces, adding that the decree made the gangs military targets.

It was gathered that in recent years, prison transfers of gang leaders have led to violence which leaves hundreds of inmates killed.

Neighbouring States, Peru and China, a major investor in Ecuador, have declared an emergency along the Ecuador’s border and closed its Embassy infinitely, respectively.

However, other alarmed South American Nations like Brazil, Colombia and Chile have expressed support for President Noboa’s Government.

BROADCAST  INVASION

The manoeuvring of the TC’s studio in Guayaquil was broadcast for about 20 minutes, to the amazement of viewers. Men wearing balaclavas and mostly dressed in black wielded guns and accosted staffers huddling on the floor.

Gunshots and yelling were heard, before later Police Commandoes arrived to rescue the terrified media employees.

Narrating the ordeal, the Deputy Director, Rendon said, “They (the attackers) shot one of our cameramen in the leg, broke the arm of another one.”

He added that, “The police came in minutes, surrounded the TV station and the tactical units intervened.”

Police said they confiscated explosives and guns, and showed images of young men kneeling with their hands zip-tied.

The channel was back on-air for its evening news broadcast, with anchors saying the Attorney General’s office was on site collecting evidence.

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