In a surge of unrest, armed men disrupt a live television broadcast in Ecuador, adding to a wave of attacks following the escape of an influential gang leader and prompting a widespread manhunt.
Ecuadorian authorities declared a national state of emergency and ordered a massive manhunt after the prison disappearance of a notorious gang leader.
The Associated Press has reported that armed men have breached the set of a public television channel mid-broadcast in Ecuador. At the time of writing, it is unclear for the reason behind this incident although before the country was still shaken by several attacks in the wake of a Government State of Emergency in response to the escape of an influential gang leader from a prison. However, a manhunt is already underway.
The Incident
Entering the TC Television network set in Guayaquil, armed individuals brandishing pistols and what appeared to be sticks of dynamite declared the presence of bombs, accompanied by sounds resembling gunshots in the background.
The channel broadcast live for at least 15 minutes before the signal was cut off. While the transmission was on, the men could be seen on camera while some employees lay down on the floor and someone was heard yelling don't shoot!". The immediate status of station personnel regarding injuries remained unclear.
The police force made a statement on X, formally known as Twitter, that units were deployed to media facilities, and at the time of writing they made another post stating "CAPTURED. As a result of the intervention in TC Television, our police units have so far managed to arrest several subjects and evidence linked to the crime. More details later."
The Associated Press's report continued with "Hours earlier Ecuadorian authorities had confirmed a series of attacks around the country. These encompassed encompassed an explosion near the residence of the president of the National Justice Court and the kidnapping of four police officers on Monday night, leaving uncertainties about whether these actions were coordinated. In Quito, the capital, one officer was abducted, while three were taken in Quevedo city. The surge in violence, often associated with drug trafficking, has been attributed to Ecuadorian gangs like Los Choneros, linked to Mexico's Sinaloa cartel, and intensified with the assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio last year.
This is a developing story.
