Ecuador at War: Gang Leader’s Disappearance Sparks Violent Outbreak
Ecuador faces a deepening crisis as organized crime and prison violence take center stage. The catalyst for the turmoil was the disappearance of Jose Adolfo Macias Villamar, known as ‘Fito,’ the leader of the notorious ‘LosChoneros’ gang, from a prison in Guayaquil on January 7th.
Commander César Augusto Zapata Correa of the Ecuadorian National Police confirmed the incident and launched an extensive search operation.
The repercussions of Fito’s disappearance have been severe, leading to violent uprisings in at least three prisons, namely Cárcel el Inca, Cárcel Turi, and Cárcel Machala. Inmates, armed with smuggled firearms and large knives, took control of parts of the prisons, releasing chilling video messages depicting the hostage situation and subsequent executions of prison guards.
Adding to the chaos, Fabricio Colón Pico, the rival gang leader of ‘LosLobos,’ managed to escape from Cárcel #Riobamba. The conflict between Los Choneros and Los Lobos has intensified in recent years, further fueling the unrest.
The situation escalated with multiple car bombs detonating across the country, including a harrowing explosion captured on video along the Highway between the towns of El Empalme and Quevedo. The responsible parties behind these attacks remain unclear at this time.
A live broadcast by Ecuadorean television station TC was abruptly interrupted on Tuesday, with armed individuals forcing staff to the ground. The incident occurred amidst the backdrop of seven police officers being kidnapped, a series of explosions, and a day after President Daniel Noboa declared a state of emergency.
In response to the escalating violence, President Noboa signed an executive decree declaring internal armed conflict and designated several transnational organized crime groups as terrorist organizations and belligerent non-state actors. He identified these groups as Águilas, ÁguilasKiller, Ak47, Caballeros Oscuros, ChoneKiller, Choneros, Covicheros, Cuartel de las Ugly, Cuban, Fatal, Gangster, Kater Piler, Lizards, Latin Kings, Lobos, Los p.27, Los Tiburones, Mafia 18, Mafia Trébol, Patrones, R7, Tiguerones. The president has ordered the armed forces to initiate military operations to neutralize these groups.
In a dramatic move, Ecuador’s police ordered the evacuation of the Palacio de Carondelet, the governmental palace in Quito, as the military deployed armored personnel carriers (APCs) in the capital city.
Noboa, who assumed office in November, has been steadfast in his commitment to address the escalating drug trade-related violence that has plagued Ecuador’s streets and prisons for years. In response to the crisis, he declared a 60-day state of emergency, authorizing military patrols, including within prisons, and implementing a national nighttime curfew.
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