Ecuador's President Declares War on Drug Gangs
- AP Photo
Ecuador – President of Ecuador, Daniel Noboa declared a state of war against drug cartels on Wednesday following three days of violence during which gangs have clashed with the country's armed forces.
In an interview with local radio station Radio Canela, Daniel Noboa spoke of the "terrorist acts" and dramatic surge in violence that have rattled the country.
"We are at war. We cannot surrender to these terrorists. We are doing what is necessary to eliminate insecurity. These gangs think that they will break the president by raiding television broadcasts and taking security forces hostage, but they will not succeed," Noboa explained, as reported from Anadolu Agency site.
Tentara Ekuador patroli di sekeliling penjara usai bos Narkoba kabur dari Bui
- Associated Press
The armed clashes have left 11 people dead so far. Authorities have also reported violent acts such as the torching of vehicles, blockades and bombings in a number of provinces.
In addition, the National Service for Attention to Persons Deprived of Liberty, the body in charge of the country's prisons, announced Wednesday that inmates had taken 139 guards and other staff hostage.
On Tuesday, Noboa announced a state of “internal armed conflict" and declared 22 criminal groups active in the country terrorist organizations. Through a presidential decree, he deployed troops to battle the criminal gangs terrorizing the population.
According to Noboa, labeling the groups terrorist organizations enables the government to take various measures against them.
"All these terrorist groups are military objectives, and if you want to resist...be brave and fight against the military head on," he remarked.
The decree was signed after gunmen raided the set of the TC Television network in the city of Guayaquil during a live broadcast, taking hostages while waving weapons and grenades.
The same day, armed men took over the facilities of a university in Guayaquil, holding students at gunpoint.
Thirteen suspects have been arrested for the attack on the television studio. ???????
