Ecuador in Crisis: President Declares "Internal Armed Conflict" to Tackle Surging Gang Violence
Ecuador is grappling with a surge in violence as criminal gangs wreak havoc following the escape of notorious gangster Adolfo Macías Villamar, also known as "Fito," from prison.
President Daniel Noboa has declared a state of emergency in response to a series of violent incidents, including the recent attack on a television studio in Guayaquil. Masked gunmen stormed the TC Television network, forcing staff to the floor during a live broadcast. It is unclear whether the attack on the television studio and the escape of Villamar are connected.
President Noboa, addressing the escalating situation on X, stated, "I have ordered the Armed Forces to carry out military operations to neutralise these groups."
The violence is linked to an ongoing drug war, with rival gangs, some tied to Mexican and Colombian cartels, vying for control of cocaine routes to the US and Europe. Ecuador, traditionally a peaceful country, has experienced a significant increase in violence, resulting in a record 8,008 violent deaths last year.
The US Embassy in Ecuador has expressed concern, condemning the "brazen attacks," and Peru has declared an emergency along its northern border to prevent spillover.
The nationwide state of emergency includes a nightly curfew, but violence continues to escalate. Gangs have retaliated by taking police officers hostage, setting off explosions, and attacking various cities. In response to the chaos, President Noboa has ordered military operations against what he termed "terrorist organisations and belligerent non-state actors." The situation has led to the suspension of public services, early closures of businesses, and the suspension of face-to-face classes nationwide.
As authorities intensify efforts to restore order, a manhunt is underway for Fito, the escaped gang leader. Ecuador's prisons, already plagued by violent feuds, have witnessed further unrest, with reports of guards being held hostage and unverified videos depicting the execution of guards by inmates.
President Noboa remains resolute, vowing not to negotiate with terrorists and emphasising the determination to restore peace in the face of escalating drug-related violence that has taken a heavy toll on the country.
