Gunmen stormed a TV station during a live broadcast, triggering a series of violent incidents that have left at least 10 people dead in Ecuador. The country is now facing what President Daniel Noboa has called an “internal armed conflict.” In response to the chaos, Noboa has declared a 60-day state of emergency and imposed a nightly curfew. The violence erupted after the leader of Ecuador’s largest gang, Los Choneros, escaped from prison. Gangsters unleashed a wave of terror across the country, targeting both civilians and law enforcement officers.
The situation escalated when armed and hooded gang members attacked a studio of state-owned TC Television in Guayaquil. The gunmen, numbering 13, were later apprehended. Authorities have reported a total of 23 violent incidents in eight provinces, including car bombings. Gang members also took police officers hostage and set off explosions in several cities.
Guayaquil, Ecuador’s largest coastal city, is known for being a major hub for drug smuggling. Its ports have become a hotspot for criminal activities. The surge in violence is a significant challenge for President Noboa, a businessman who took office in November with a promise to tackle the escalating levels of violence in the country. In response to the crisis, Noboa has signed a state of emergency decree, granting the armed forces political and legal support for their actions.
Ecuador has been grappling with a deteriorating security situation exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and economic struggles. The government reported a sharp increase in violent deaths, reaching 8,008 in 2023, nearly double the figure from the previous year. The country has become a key transit point for cocaine trafficking to the United States and Europe, leading to a quadrupling of the murder rate between 2018 and 2022. Last year, a record 200 tonnes of drugs were seized.
Political analyst Adrian Perez Salazar attributes Ecuador’s gang and insecurity problems to structural issues within the country. He points out that being a dollarized economy makes it easier for international crime to launder money. Additionally, lax immigration policies and the dominance of gang leaders in prisons have contributed to the current crisis.
Following the attack on the TV station, President Noboa acknowledged the presence of an “internal armed conflict” in Ecuador. He designated several criminal gangs, including Los Choneros, as terrorist groups and military targets, ordering the armed forces to neutralize them. The unrest has prompted neighboring Peru to declare an emergency along its border with Ecuador. Brazil, Colombia, and Chile have expressed their support for the Ecuadorean government.
In response to the escalating violence, the Chinese embassy and consulates general in Ecuador have temporarily closed. The United States has also expressed extreme concern over the situation and offered assistance to President Noboa’s administration.
The crisis in Ecuador highlights the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to address the country’s security challenges. President Noboa faces a daunting task in curbing the violence and restoring stability to the nation. International support and cooperation will be crucial in tackling the root causes of the escalating gang violence and insecurity in Ecuador.
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