Wednesday, October 23

Hooded gunmen burst onto reside TV set in Ecuador after drug lord escape triggers state of emergency

Hooded gunmen have burst onto a reside TV set in Ecuador.

Live tv pictures broadcast on Tuesday confirmed hooded individuals – some waving weapons – inside Ecuador’s TC Television station in Guayaquil.

They had been seen telling workers to lie down on the ground and shouted that they’d “bombs”, whereas shouting and noises just like gunshots might be heard within the background.

Some of the group gestured on the digicam and somebody might be heard yelling “no police”, earlier than the printed feed was ultimately minimize.

The nationwide police stated on social media its specialised items had been deployed to the tv station.

The astonishing incident comes a day after Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa declared a 60-day state of emergency after one of many nation’s most-notorious drug gang bosses escaped from jail.

Soldiers patrol the perimeter of Inca prison during a state of emergency as a food vendor works on the sidewalk in Quito, Ecuador, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024. Pic: AP
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Soldiers patrol the perimeter of Inca jail throughout a state of emergency in Quito, Ecuador. Pic: AP

Soldiers arrive atop an armoured vehicle to the Zonal 8 prison after Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa declared a 60-day state of emergency following the disappearance of Adolfo Macias, leader of the Los Choneros criminal gang, from the prison where he was serving a 34-year sentence, in Guayaquil, Ecuador, January 9, 2024. REUTERS/Vicente Gaibor del Pino
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Soldiers atop an armoured car after Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa declared a state of emergency. Pic: Reuters

Members of military stand guard near the Presidential Palace (Palacio de Carondelet), following the disappearance of Jose Adolfo Macias, alias 'Fito', leader of the Los Choneros criminal group, in Quito, Ecuador, January 9, 2024. REUTERS/Karen Toro
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Members of army stand guard close to the Presidential Palace in Quito, Ecuador. Pic: Reuters

At least seven cops have additionally been kidnapped, and there have been a sequence of explosions reported throughout the South American nation.

Noboa, the son of one of many Ecuador’s richest males, took workplace in November promising to stem a wave of drug-related violence on the streets and in prisons.

Adolfo Macias – also called Fito – was first reported lacking from his cell on Sunday.

The leader of the powerful Los Choneros gang, Jose Adolfo Macias, alias 'Fito' Pic: Ecuadorean Armed Forces
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The chief of the highly effective Los Choneros gang, Jose Adolfo Macias, alias ‘Fito’ Pic: Ecuadorean Armed Forces

The chief of the Los Choneros gang was serving a 34-year sentence in La Regional jail for drug trafficking and homicide.

His reported escape occurred on the identical day he was scheduled to be transferred to a most safety facility within the metropolis of Guayaquil.

Ecuador‘s prosecutors have filed expenses in opposition to two jail guards as a part of their investigation into the alleged escape.

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Los Choneros is likely one of the gangs authorities take into account answerable for a spike in violence that reached new highs final 12 months with the assassination of the presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio.

The gang has hyperlinks with Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel, based on authorities.

Mr Villavicencio had claimed Los Choneros threatened him, however authorities have been unable to formally accuse Macias or his group of being behind the homicide.

The state of emergency permits for using army patrols, on the streets and in prisons, and the setting of a nationwide nighttime curfew.

Content Source: information.sky.com