Ecuador's President Declares War on Drug Gangs

Daniel Noboa, the President of Ecuador, stated on Wednesday, January 10, that his country is engaged in a 'war' against drug gangs. According to Reuters, drug gangs have taken more than 130 guards and other staff hostage at a prison in Ecuador and even briefly seized a television network in the city of Guayaquil that was broadcasting live. They have also unleashed a wave of violence in the streets of the country's cities, causing several explosions and emptying the streets of people. On Tuesday, the President classified 22 drug trafficking gangs as 'terrorist organizations,' making them official targets of Ecuador's armed forces. Noboa, who took office in November, pledged to tackle the increasing security problem caused by the rising activities of drug gangs transporting cocaine through the country. On Wednesday, he told the 'Canela' radio network, 'We are at war and cannot surrender to these terrorist groups.' The hostage situation began early on Monday, January 8, and the leader of the 'Los Chonros' gang, Adolfo Macias, apparently escaped from the Guayaquil prison a few days prior. Following these events, Noboa declared a state of emergency for 60 days. He issued this decree on Tuesday after a series of explosions across Ecuador and the brief takeover of a television network by armed individuals, which was broadcast live. The government stated that the violence from drug trafficking gangs is a reaction to Noboa's plan to build new high-security prisons for gang leaders. Noboa announced to the Canela radio network that the plan to construct two new centers would be made public on Thursday, January 11. Many Latin American countries have expressed their support for the Ecuadorian government. In this context, Colombia announced on Wednesday that it would increase its military presence along the 600-kilometer border with Ecuador. The police reported on Wednesday that 70 individuals have been arrested in response to recent events, including the takeover of the television network in Guayaquil. The state of emergency in Ecuador; armed individuals stormed a television station. Police seized 646 kilograms of cocaine hidden among Ecuadorian banana shipments. A presidential election candidate and 'staunch anti-corruption critic' was shot dead. The death toll from clashes between criminal groups in a prison in Ecuador has reached at least 116.