Ecuador president declares ‘war’ with criminal gangs amid soaring violence
Al Jazeera
City streets deserted after gangs take prison staff hostage, set off explosions and briefly seize a TV station live on air.
Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa says his country is “at war” after drug gangs took more than 130 prison guards and other staff hostage and briefly captured a TV station during a live broadcast.
“We are at war, and we cannot cede in the face of these terrorist groups,” Noboa told radio station Canela Radio on Wednesday.
The increase in violence began after Noboa announced a state of emergency following the prison escape of Ecuador’s most powerful narco boss, the Los Choneros gang leader Adolfo Macias, over the weekend.
On Tuesday, Noboa gave orders to “neutralise” criminal gangs after gunmen stormed and opened fire on a TV studio and threatened executions of civilians and security forces.
Noboa on Tuesday named 22 gangs as “terrorist” organisations, making them official military targets.
