International News: Gangsters in Ecuador respond to State of Emergency by abducting police officers; sending message to President

Published by BBNTEAM at January 9, 2024

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Posted: Tuesday, January 9, 2024. 1:47 pm CST.

Photo: January 9, 2024

Armed gunmen attack crew at TC Television Channel in Ecuador while show was LIVE

By Zoila Palma Gonzalez: On January 8, 2024, Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa declared a State of Emergency following the prison break of the infamous José Adolfo Macías Villamar, leader of the feared Los Choneros drug cartel.

Villamar is better known by his alias “Fito.”

In response, gangsters kidnapped police officers as the President seeks to reclaim control from “narcoterrorists.”

According to the Associated French Press, Ecuador is now a key stop on the US- and Europe-bound cocaine trade.

The 60-day state of emergency declared on Monday includes a night curfew.

President Noboa vowed to bring the fight to the cartels after Fito’s escape.

However, the cartel has since reportedly responded with multiple explosions and the abductions of 7 police officers.

In addition, a video was released showing three of the kidnapped officers sitting on the ground with a gun pointed at them as one is forced to read a statement addressed to Noboa.

“You declared war, you will get war,” the clearly terrified officer reads.

“You declared a state of emergency. We declare police, civilians and soldiers to be the spoils of war.”

The statement added that anyone found on the street after 11:00 pm “will be executed.”

In Quito, a car was blown up and explosive devices were thrown at a police station in Esmeraldas.

Drug violence continue to take a heavy toll in Ecuador.

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