SHOCK VIDEO: Gunmen Storm Newsroom, Take Hosts Hostage

Armed gunmen stormed the live broadcast of TC Television in Guayaquil, Ecuador, creating a scene of chaos. The assailants, some brandishing guns and claiming to have bombs, forced the station’s staff to lie on the ground while shouting threats and warnings against police intervention.

The terrifying incident was captured live on television, with sounds of gunshots echoing in the background before the broadcast was abruptly cut off.

The attack comes in the wake of President Daniel Noboa’s declaration of a 60-day state of emergency, following the escape of one of Ecuador’s most notorious drug gang bosses, Adolfo Macias, also known as ‘Fito’, from prison.

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Macias has been in the spotlight recently due to his escape from prison, which led to a state of emergency being declared in Ecuador. Macías was serving a 34-year sentence for organized crime, drug trafficking, and murder, which started in 2011​.

This wasn’t his first jailbreak; he previously escaped from a maximum-security prison in 2013, only to be recaptured weeks later. His latest escape highlighted the growing concerns over the power and influence of criminal organizations within Ecuador’s prison system.

Leading the infamous Los Choneros gang, Macías is implicated in a range of violent crimes and drug trafficking activities. The gang is believed to have connections with Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel and has been linked to a surge in violence in Ecuador. This included the assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio.

The country has since been rocked by a series of violent incidents, including explosions and the kidnapping of several police officers. These developments have put a spotlight on the escalating violence in Ecuador, linked to drug trafficking and gang activities.

Más detalles de la intervención policial en las inmediaciones de @tctelevision. pic.twitter.com/BbczkQxTNG

— Policía Ecuador (@PoliciaEcuador) January 9, 2024

In light of recent events, the government of Ecuador has introduced a fresh decree, intensifying its approach to the rising violence and criminal activities. The President of Ecuador announced “internal armed conflict,” deploying the military to counteract “terrorist groups.”

JUST IN – Ecuador's president declares "internal armed conflict," mobilizes military to neutralize "terrorist groups." pic.twitter.com/yxMKBUulQT

— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) January 9, 2024

Ecuador has been facing significant challenges related to drug trafficking and gang violence in recent years. The country’s strategic location makes it a transit point for drug shipments, particularly cocaine, from neighboring Colombia and Peru to North America and Europe. This has led to an increase in drug-related crimes and gang activities.

Ecuador’s position between Colombia and Peru, both major cocaine-producing countries, makes it a key transit route for drug traffickers. The port cities, particularly Guayaquil, are hotspots for drug trafficking activities. Criminal organizations use these ports to ship drugs internationally.

There’s also a growing domestic market for drugs in Ecuador, contributing to the problem. Gangs involved in drug trafficking often engage in violent conflicts over territory and control of the drug trade. Corruption within law enforcement and judicial systems can hamper efforts to combat drug trafficking and gang violence.

Poverty and lack of opportunities can drive individuals, especially the youth, towards criminal activities and gangs. The Ecuadorian government has been taking steps to address these issues, including law enforcement operations against drug traffickers and gangs, strengthening legal frameworks, and engaging in international cooperation to combat drug trafficking.

However, these challenges require sustained efforts to effectively tackle them.