Armed men storm live TV show in Ecuador after state of emergency announced as 'civil war' erupts with cartel thugs
9 January 2024, 20:21 | Updated: 10 January 2024, 02:24
Armed men have stormed a live broadcast by Ecuadorean television station TC a day after President Daniel Noboa declared a state of emergency.
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Images showed people in hoods shouting that they had bombs, before the feed was cut.
Some of the invaders gestured at the camera and someone could be heard yelling "no police".
It comes after the government imposed a state of emergency in the wake of the apparent escape of a powerful gang leader from prison.
The move has caused 'civil war' with cartel thugs, resulting in a series of attacks including explosions and the abduction of several police officers.
Police reported four officers had been kidnapped on Monday night and remained missing, one in the capital Quito and three in Quevedo city.
Separately, agents arrested two people for possession of explosives and as suspects in at least one of the attacks in the South American country.
The government has not said how many attacks were registered, but local media reported several, including some in northern cities, where vehicles were set on fire, and others in Quito, including an explosion near the house of the president of the National Justice Court.
Authorities have not said who is thought to be behind the attacks and if the incidents are part an orchestrated action. The government has previously accused members of the main drug gangs for similar strikes.
In recent years, Ecuador has been engulfed by a surge of violence tied to drug trafficking, including homicides and kidnappings.
Authorities reported on Sunday that Adolfo Macias, alias "Fito" - the leader of Los Choneros gang - was not in his cell in a low security prison. He had been scheduled to be transferred to a maximum security facility that day.
His whereabouts remain unclear.
Prosecutors opened an investigation and charged two guards in connection with the alleged escape, but neither the police, the corrections system, nor the federal government confirmed whether Macias had fled the facility or might be hiding in it.
On Monday, President Daniel Noboa decreed a national state of emergency for 60 days, allowing authorities to suspend rights and mobilise the military in places like prisons.
The government also imposed a curfew from 11pm to 5am.
