Armed Assailants Point Guns at Live Broadcast Studio... What Is Happening in Ecuador?

About 10 Armed Assailants Threaten Employees at Gunpoint

In South America, armed assailants stormed a TV station in Ecuador, firing guns and pointing them at staff members, with the entire scene broadcast live.

On the 9th (local time), Ecuador's TC Televisi?n, along with the police and the National Service of Integral Attention to Adults Deprived of Liberty and Adolescent Offenders (SNAI) social media accounts, reported that about 10 armed assailants broke into the TC Televisi?n station located in Guayaquil, the country's largest city. The assailants, with most of their faces covered by hoods and masks, entered the studio during a live broadcast and aimed their guns at employees and the show hosts. Terrified staff lowered their heads deeply or sat down on the studio floor. This tense situation was broadcast live in its entirety and quickly spread across social media platforms, including YouTube.

On the 9th (local time), armed assailants stormed the TC Television station in Guayaquil, Ecuador, threatening the staff.
[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

The Ecuadorian police issued an emergency statement saying, "Police officers in the capital Quito and Guayaquil have responded to reports of this criminal act and have already arrived at the scene." Subsequently, all about 10 armed assailants were arrested, and the station staff evacuated, CNN reported. The police classified the incident as an act of terrorism and stated that "13 people have been detained."

The incident sparked controversy as it occurred just one day after President Daniel Noboa declared a state of emergency in response to recent security concerns. Earlier, President Noboa had declared a 60-day state of emergency following the escape of Adolfo Mac?as, the leader of the Ecuadorian drug trafficking and criminal organization 'Los Choneros' gang. Residents were also ordered to observe a curfew from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.

The appearance of Adolfo Mac?as, the leader of Ecuador's most notorious gang, during his incarceration after escaping prison. [Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

However, social unrest continues in Ecuador. Recently, an explosion occurred in front of the home of Iv?n Saquicela, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, in Cuenca. Fortunately, there were no casualties. Saquicela described it as a "clear act of terrorism" and said, according to El Universo, "It is considered a direct threat against me." Additionally, at least seven police officers were kidnapped in Machala and Quito. According to police reports, the assailants, traveling in vehicles with removed license plates, captured the officers and forcibly took them somewhere.

In a video speech posted on social media, President Noboa emphasized, "There will be no negotiations with terrorists until all Ecuadorian citizens regain peace." Ecuador, situated between Colombia and Peru?two major cocaine-producing countries worldwide?has become a drug trafficking corridor to Europe and North America over recent years, placing it at the center of gang conflicts.

Recently, the frequency of violent crimes such as murder and kidnapping has significantly increased, especially in major cities. According to Statista.com, which provides various statistical data, Ecuador's homicide rate in 2022 was 25.9 per 100,000 people. This is the fifth highest rate among Latin American and Caribbean countries, following Jamaica (52.9), Venezuela (40.4), Trinidad and Tobago (39.4), Honduras (35.8), and Colombia (26.1).

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.