Ecuador's government on Wednesday formally declared the country's erupting gang wars an “internal armed conflict,” vowing to curb the deadly violence that escalated dramatically the day before.
terrorist action The attack, carried out by an Ecuadorian criminal gang on Tuesday, included kidnappings, a prison riot and the use of explosives against civilian and police vehicles, leaving at least 10 people dead, including two police officers. .Early Wednesday morning, police officials found A vehicle burst into flames in Guayaquil. There were three people inside the car who suffered burns.
Soldiers patrol the Inca prison under a state of emergency after a powerful gang leader escaped from the prison in Quito, Ecuador, Tuesday, January 9, 2024. (Dolores Ochoa/AP)
internal conflict proclamation More than 20 of Ecuador's most dangerous criminal organizations have been designated military targets, allowing the military to carry out operations to “neutralize” them. The decree is in conjunction with President Daniel Novoa's 60-day state of emergency and curfew. approved this week.
Novoa signed the decree Tuesday afternoon, shortly after a group of hooded gunmen. A storm has come Guayaquil's local news channel TC TV has its entire staff kidnapped.
Local police were able to free the personnel. capture Currently, 13 people are charged with terrorism.
Decide on special initiatives with special expertise @PoliciaEcuador para retmar el control en @tctv. pic.twitter.com/fWRQYnbQsw
— President of Ecuador (@Presidencia_Ec) January 10, 2024
In a short speech, Ecuador's Armed Forces Commander Jaime Vela told the public that the military would not negotiate with terrorists and that gang violence would not deter military crackdowns.
National life:
Group Mencionado for determining transformations for military objects. pic.twitter.com/HuUS7A1tkP
— President of Ecuador (@Presidencia_Ec) January 10, 2024
“The President of the Republic, Daniel Novoa, [the decree] “We have defined a very clear mission for us. From this moment on, all terrorist groups identified in the mentioned legislation became military targets,” Vella said. “The present and future of our homeland is at stake.”
Novoa Said Radio Canela claimed on Wednesday morning that despite the difficult situation Ecuador is currently facing, the government is standing firm and that “the days of lukewarm government are over.”
“We can't fight this from just one side. It's not just bullets, it's also the function of the judiciary. We will fight against judges and prosecutors who support certain leaders of these terrorist organizations. We will also consider them members of a terrorist organization,” Noboa said.
Newly sworn-in President Daniel Novoa waves from the balcony of the Carondereto Presidential Palace in Quito, Ecuador, Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Carlos Noriega)
Members of all political parties currently represented in the Ecuadorian National Assembly issued the following official declaration: expressed They are united in supporting government action to crack down on criminal organizations.
Lawmakers agreed to grant pardons and pardons to Ecuador's military and law enforcement personnel, if needed, to fight criminal organizations.
“We are united in our efforts, even though we represent different political and ideological currents. The current situation requires cooperation and unity,” Ecuadorian National Assembly Speaker Henry Kronful said on Tuesday. Stated. “We are committed to responsibly and collectively addressing this challenge.”
Other Latin American countries have also expressed support for the Ecuadorian government, providing police and military aid to help fight gangs.Argentina Minister of Security Patricia Bullrich defined On Tuesday, he characterized the situation in Ecuador as a “continental issue” and said Argentina was ready to send security forces to assist Ecuador.
Peruvian President Dina Bolarte declared a state of emergency in the region bordering Ecuador and increased the police presence to improve security.
Local media reported on Wednesday morning that private supermarkets were providing free food and supplies to the military to help with anti-gang operations.
#emergency El ecuador est unido!
Give powerful energy to the soldiers of the Armada. pic.twitter.com/2UhYAOTqaj
— LaDataEC (@LaDataEc) January 10, 2024
Ecuador has seen an increase in gang violence over the past decade. South American countries are declared More than 8,000 violent deaths were recorded in the same year, making it the most violent country in the region in 2023, a dramatic increase from the more than 4,500 violent deaths recorded in 2022. increased.
The latest wave of widespread gang violence erupted after Ecuador's “most wanted man” Jose Adolfo Macias apparently disappeared from his prison cell on Monday. Immediately after Macias' disappearance, widespread gang violence and prison riots broke out. Inmates have taken over five prisons in Ecuador and kidnapped staff.
At the time of writing this article, very few have been confirmed. information He addressed the current situation in Ecuador's prisons following Monday's wave of violence, as the Ecuadorian government has not issued an updated official statement on the situation.
Christian K. Caruso is a Venezuelan writer who chronicles life under socialism. You can follow him on Twitter here.
