During a live broadcast at the TC television station, armed individuals wearing hoods stormed the studio, forcing staff to lie on the ground while shots and shouting could be heard in the background.
The live feed, which was eventually cut off, showed distressed staff members huddling on the studio floor in Guayaquil, Ecuador as the armed figures made menacing gestures toward the camera. Amidst the chaos, voices were heard exclaiming “no police” during the live transmission.
According to local news outlet Tiempo, various criminal groups took to the streets on Tuesday to express their displeasure with President Daniel Noboa’s declaration of a state of emergency for 60 days.
This alarming event took place in the wake of a series of violent episodes, including the kidnappings of at least seven police officers and various explosions.
The announcement was made following the disappearance of the leader of the Los Choneros criminal group, known as Ecuador’s “most-wanted prisoner,” from the prison where he was incarcerated.
WATCH: (Viewers Discretion is advised)
| URGENTE: Delincuentes irrumpieron en TC Televisión y secuestran a todos en vivo y directo en Guayaquil, Ecuador. pic.twitter.com/ob1yleusOc
— Alerta Mundial (@AlertaMundoNews) January 9, 2024
Here’s another video:
#AHORA | Un grupo de delincuentes tomó una emisora de televisión abierta en Ecuador. Los encapuchados salieron al aire en vivo, tienen granadas y armas de guerra. pic.twitter.com/10ACV52xWn
— Alejandro | Inversión & Actualidad (@Alpha_News__) January 9, 2024
Aljazeera reported:
Noboa, a former legislator and son of one of the country’s richest men, took office in November on promises to fix the struggling economy and stem a wave of violence on the streets and in prisons, which has been growing for years.
Noboa declared the 60-day state of emergency – a tool used by his predecessor to little success – on Monday, enabling military patrols, including in prisons, and setting a national nighttime curfew.
The measure was a response to the disappearance of Adolfo Macias, leader of the Los Choneros criminal gang, from the prison where he was serving a 34-year sentence and unrest at six other prisons, including hostage-takings of prison guards.
Police and prosecutors have given scant information about Macias’s disappearance.
Three police officers working the night shift were taken from their station in the southern city of Machala, the police said on social media on Tuesday, while a fourth missing officer was taken by three people in Quito.
Reports have emerged of armed individuals allegedly attempting to abduct students and professors at the National University of Ecuador.
WATCH:
#AHORA | Supuestos pandilleros ingresan a la Universidad Nacional de Ecuador, en Quito, y secuestran a estudiantes y profesores. Corridas en el campus, se relacionan con lo sucedido hace minutos en el estudio de televisión. pic.twitter.com/jjCrPKDzjr
— Alejandro | Inversión & Actualidad (@Alpha_News__) January 9, 2024
Another video:
#URGENTE | Estudiantes y profesores intentan protegerse de los delincuentes que asaltan la Universidad Nacional de Guayaquil, Ecuador. pic.twitter.com/ClJ264FVD9
— Mundo en Conflicto (@MundoEConflicto) January 9, 2024
The post ARMED SIEGE IN ECUADOR: Gunmen Hijack TV Station Broadcast, Take Hostages, and Open Fire — Attempt to Kidnap University Students and Professors Reported (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.