The streets of Ecuador fell silent the day after a masked gunman stormed a live television broadcast, while President Daniel Noboa declared a “state of war” on drug trafficking gangs.
Residents of the country's capital, Quito, and the coastal city of Guayaquil likened the atmosphere to an epidemic lockdown, with many businesses closed and schools closed.
“It's terrible, the streets are so empty,” said Rodolfo Toaz, a 40-year-old security guard. “It's a very cold environment, as if there was a new coronavirus.”
This comes after live television footage broadcast on Tuesday showed people Wear masks -Some brandishing guns -Inside Ecuador TC TV station in Guayaquil.
The alleged gang members were seen asking the technical center employees to lie on the ground and claimed they had “bombs,” while screams and sounds resembling gunshots could be heard in the background.
A man walks near closed stores in a usually crowded area
The government said nearly 330 people, including 13 people linked to the livestream raid, were arrested for alleged acts of terrorism.
“We are at war and we cannot surrender,” President Noboa said in an updated statement.
“We have taken measures that should have been taken a long time ago, and which previous governments did not decide to take,” he said.
He added: “We are practically living in a state of war against terrorism. These are not organized criminal groups, but terrorists who are financed sometimes by drug trafficking, sometimes by human trafficking, organ trafficking, and arms smuggling.”
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The journalist describes the television attack as terrifying
He described 22 gangs as terrorist organizations, making them official military targets.
The president warned that judges, prosecutors and officials who cooperated with the gangs would be considered part of a terrorist network.
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The unrest broke out after the leader of one of Ecuador's most powerful drug gangs – Los Choneros – He disappeared from prison.
A masked man points a gun at broadcaster Jose Luis Calderon. Photo: TC TV station
Adolfo Macias – also known as Vito – was serving a 34-year sentence in La Regional Prison for drug trafficking and murder when he was reported missing from his cell on January 6.
President Noboa declared a 60-day state of emergency, which he tightened after more than 130 prison guards and staff were taken hostage inside prisons, and a series of explosions were reported across the South American country.
The government has claimed that the recent wave of violence is a reaction to the president's plan to build new high-security prisons for gang leaders.
The country will also begin deporting foreign prisoners, especially Colombians, to reduce the prison population and spending.
