Mr. Noboa on Tuesday designated 22 gangs as terrorist organizations, making them military targets. The new president, who took office in November, has pledged to tackle security and crack down on drug gangs that plague Ecuador.
Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa (second from left) meets with senior officials following a wave of violence across the country in Quito, Ecuador, January 10, 2024. Photo: Cancilleria
Violence erupts across Ecuador
“We are at war and we cannot give in to these terrorist groups,” Mr. Noboa told Canela Radio on Wednesday, estimating that there are about 20,000 gang members operating in Ecuador.
The hostage situation on Monday and the escape of Los Choneros gang leader Adolfo Macias from prison last weekend prompted President Noboa to declare a 60-day state of emergency.
SNAI, the Ecuadorian prisons media agency, said 125 of the hostages were guards, while 14 were administrative staff. The newspaper said 11 were released on Tuesday. Videos circulating on social media showed prison staff being subjected to horrific violence, including being shot and hanged.
“We are doing our utmost to rescue all the hostages,” Noboa said, adding that the armed forces had taken over the rescue effort. “We are doing everything possible and impossible to keep them safe.”
The situation became more serious on Tuesday when a series of explosions occurred across the country and masked gunmen seized the live broadcast studio of TC Television.
The Ecuadorian government said the latest wave of violence was a response to Mr Noboa’s plans to build new high-security prisons for gang leaders. Mr Noboa told radio that designs for the two new facilities would be unveiled tomorrow.
Deportation of foreign prisoners and international cooperation to suppress crime
President Noboa said the country would begin deporting foreign prisoners, especially Colombians, this week to reduce prison numbers and costs. He said there were about 1,500 Colombians in prison in Ecuador.
“We are spending more on those 1,500 people than on school breakfasts for our children. This is not extradition, it is based on previous international agreements,” he said.
Ecuadorian security forces arrest members of a criminal gang. Photo: AP
In response, Colombia said Wednesday it would increase its military presence and controls along its nearly 600-kilometer border with Ecuador.
President Noboa met with the US ambassador on Tuesday afternoon and other ambassadors on Wednesday. He said the US had pledged aid in the coming days. His $800 million security plan includes $200 million in US weapons.
US national security adviser Jake Sullivan on Wednesday condemned “recent attacks by armed criminal gangs” and said Washington is “ready to take concrete steps to improve cooperation” with the Ecuadorian government.
Peruvian Defense Minister Jorge Chavez told reporters his country is investigating the possibility that members of its armed forces smuggled explosives and grenades to gangs in Ecuador, after an inspection of equipment over the past six months determined it was "likely" that some ammunition had gone missing.
The streets are deserted, police are taken hostage and killed.
Ecuadorian police said earlier Wednesday that there had been 70 arrests since Monday in connection with violent incidents in the country, including the seizure of the television station.
Four police officers, who authorities say were kidnapped by criminals between Monday and Tuesday, remain in custody.
Military forces have joined the mission to suppress criminal gangs that are rampant in Ecuador. Photo: Reuters
Police said they were identifying three bodies found in a burned-out car south of Guayaquil overnight and two police officers killed by armed men on Tuesday in Guayas province, where Guayaquil is located.
The streets of Quito and Guayaquil were quieter than usual on Wednesday, with many businesses closed or working remotely. The Chinese Embassy and Consulate will be temporarily closed. China is a major investor in Ecuador.
Schools are closed nationwide and classes are being held online. Residents say it feels like a return to the COVID-19 lockdown. “It’s horrible, the streets are empty,” said 40-year-old security guard Rodolfo Tuaz in Guayaquil on Wednesday morning.
Bui Huy (according to Reuters, AP, CNN)
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