Ecuador plunged into chaos as criminal gangs unleashed terror in cities, prompting President Daniel Noboa to issue orders to “neutralize” these groups. The violence escalated following the escape of Jose Adolfo Macias, alias “Fito,” the leader of Ecuador’s largest gang, Los Choneros, leading to a nationwide state of emergency and a nighttime curfew.
Noboa, who assumed office late last year, had pledged to tackle the rampant drug-related crime and violence plaguing the country. Fito’s escape triggered a wave of retaliation from gangs, including the taking of police officers as hostages, explosions in several cities, and a violent attack on a TV studio in Guayaquil.
In the TV studio incident, hooded attackers stormed TC television during a live broadcast, firing gunshots and creating chaos. Thirteen individuals were arrested after police entered the studio, and fortunately, no injuries or fatalities were reported. However, this brazen attack marked a significant escalation in the ongoing violence.
President Noboa responded by declaring the country in a state of “internal armed conflict” and ordering military operations to neutralize criminal groups described as “terrorist organizations and belligerent non-state actors.” The situation remains fluid, with ongoing explosions, arson, and reports of kidnapped police officers.
The violence prompted the suspension of face-to-face classes nationwide, early closures of businesses, and a sense of panic among the population. The United States expressed extreme concern over the situation, pledging assistance and close collaboration with the Ecuadorian government.
The primary target of the authorities is Fito, who was serving a 34-year sentence for organized crime, drug trafficking, and murder. His escape, just hours before a planned prison inspection, triggered a massive manhunt. Another narco boss, Fabricio Colon Pico of Los Lobos, also escaped custody, intensifying the security crisis.
Unrest has spread across multiple penitentiaries, with reports of guards and administrative officers being held hostage by inmates. Unverified videos on social media depict gruesome scenes of captives allegedly executing guards. The government, in turn, has conducted numerous prison raids, showcasing hundreds of inmates detained in courtyards.
Ecuador, once known as a peaceful haven, has witnessed a surge in violence in recent years as rival gangs with connections to Mexican and Colombian cartels vie for control. The murder rate quadrupled from 2018 to 2022, reaching over 7,800 homicides in 2022, making it the most violent year on record. Additionally, clashes between prisoners since February 2021 have resulted in more than 460 deaths.
As the nation grapples with this internal armed conflict, President Noboa remains steadfast, vowing not to negotiate with terrorists and expressing determination to restore peace to all Ecuadorians. The situation has garnered international support, with Chile, Colombia, and Brazil sending messages of solidarity to Ecuador during this tumultuous period.
