Gang violence escalates in Ecuador | tagesschau.de

Ecuador has long been considered relatively peaceful and stable. However, gang violence has been increasing massively for some time now. Gunmen have now stormed a television station during a live broadcast and taken hostages.

Violence is escalating in Ecuador. Gunmen stormed a studio at state broadcaster TC during a live broadcast and took several employees hostage. Even though the lights in the studio went out, the broadcast was not interrupted; shots and screams could be heard. Masked men beat employees and forced them to the ground. After about 30 minutes, the police could be seen arriving. She later reported the arrest of 13 attackers.

President Noboa declared that his country was in an “internal armed conflict.” He ordered military operations against the criminal gangs in the country in order to “neutralize” them. Because of the escalating violence in the prisons – including the taking of guards hostage and the escape of a gang leader – he had already declared a state of emergency on Monday. Since then, authorities have reported several explosions aimed at police. At least seven police officers were also kidnapped.

The USA is concerned

Several states have responded to the increasingly poor security situation. The top US diplomat for Latin America, Brian Nichols, expressed on the online service X “extremely concerned about today’s violence and kidnappings in Ecuador.” China closes its embassy and consulates general until further notice. Peru has declared a state of emergency in the border area with Ecuador and is deploying security forces to the region. Brazil, Colombia and Chile expressed their support to the Ecuadorian government.

Hub for drug trafficking

Ecuador lies between Colombia and Peru, the world’s two largest cocaine producers. For a long time, the small country was considered peaceful and stable. In recent years, gang crime has increased significantly and the country has become a hub for international drug trafficking, especially to the USA and Europe. Since then the violence has escalated. The murder rate is one of the highest in Latin America. Just last August, a presidential candidate who campaigned against corruption in the country was shot dead after a campaign rally.