Guayaquil, Ecuador – Journalist Alina Manrique of TC Television network in Guayaquil, Ecuador, has described a terrifying ordeal when an armed gang broke onto the set of the TV channel. The incident occurred during a live news program, with the masked men brandishing guns and what appeared to be sticks of dynamite. Manrique recounted fearing for her life and not being able to see her children again as the armed intruders stormed the building, forcing staff to the ground at gunpoint.
The attack on the TV station came in the wake of the escape of Jose Adolfo Macias Villamar, also known as Fito, the head of the Choneros cartel, from a high-security prison. In response, President Daniel Noboa declared a state of emergency for 60 days, granting the army authority to enter prisons and restore control. The city of Guayaquil has since experienced ongoing violence, including car bombings, police abductions, and threats from various cartels.
The situation escalated further when a gang connected to the Tiguerones cartel raided the building housing TC Television. “I thought it was my last day on Earth and I wouldn’t see my children again,” said Manrique, the head of news at the station. The attackers forced staff to plead to the president on video not to intervene against the criminal gangs.
Fortunately, no casualties were reported during the siege, and all the masked assailants were later apprehended and charged with terrorism. Nonetheless, Ecuador continues to grapple with widespread violence, including explosions, shootings, and ongoing prison unrest. The president acknowledged a “terrorist threat” against the state in the aftermath of the attack on the television station in Guayaquil.
The authorities continue to search for Fito and another prominent gang leader, Fabricio Colon Pico, also known as The Savage, who escaped from a prison in Riobamba. The situation has put pressure on the government, especially as last year saw a record high of 7,600 murders in the country.
In conclusion, the attack on TC Television reflects the broader challenges facing Ecuador, including rampant gang violence, prison unrest, and the escape of high-profile cartel leaders. The ongoing instability has raised significant concerns about public safety and the government’s ability to maintain law and order.