Suspects in Ecuador TV Station Hostage Situation Detained by Police
Police detained multiple people at the TC Television studio in Guayaquil, Ecuador, after an armed hostage situation in the building on January 9. Footage from TC Television’s broadcast Despues de el Noticiero[1] shows gunmen entering the studio and forcing workers to the floor. The camera pans away from the group and gunshots ring out.
A series of explosions was also heard in the building, according to reports[2]. Police said[3] on X that specialized armed units responded to the scene, evacuated[4] people from the premises, and later arrested[5] several individuals. The incident, one of several attacks reported in Ecuador on Tuesday, came a day after Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa declared a state of emergency following the escape of a notorious gang leader from prison.
Following the attacks on Tuesday, Noboa issued a decree[6] identifying more than 20 organized crime groups as terrorist organizations and declaring internal armed conflict, according to reports[7].
Video released by Ecuador’s Ministry of Interior on Tuesday shows 13 handcuffed individuals on their knees inside the studio after police took control of the building.
Credit: Ministerio del Interior Ecuador via Storyful