Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa Azín declared a State of Emergency and National Curfew, which will be implemented indefinitely in the country, following the wave of violence recorded in the country since last Sunday, January 7.
The South American nation has been shaken by atrocious acts by criminal and terrorist groups, following an emergency operation on the suspected escape of “El Fito,” leader of the group “Los Choneros,” and one of the most dangerous drug traffickers in Ecuador.
After six riots and the escape of Adolfo Macías “El Fito” from the Regional Prison, who was serving a 34-year sentence for organized crime, acts of violence against the population were also recorded, and even the takeover of the facilities of the TC Television network, in the city of Guayaquil.
In a message to the population, President Daniel Noboa said that “the time is over when those convicted of drug trafficking, contract killings and organized crime dictated to the government in power what to do. What we are seeing in the country's prisons is the result of the decision to confront them.”
For this reason, he added, "the government has taken action to regain control of the centres of freedom that have been lost in recent years and, in response, these narco-terrorist groups seek to intimidate us and believe that we will give in to their demands."
He also said that the government has given precise instructions to military and police commanders to intervene in the control of prisons and that a State of Emergency decree has been signed so that they have full political and legal support for their actions.
Through social media, he highlighted that, following the example of the president of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele, Military Democracy was implemented, which is why from now on the country enters into “total war” against drug traffickers and local gangs.
The organized crime groups detected are Las Águilas, Águilas Killer, Ak47, Dark Knights, ChoneKille, Choneros, Covicheros, Cuartel de las Feas, Cubans, Fatales, Gángster, Kater Piler, Lizards, Latin Kings, Wolves, Los p.27, Los Tiburones, Mafia 18, Mafia Trébol, Patrones, R7 and Tiguerones.
In turn, Admiral Jaime Vela Graso, head of the Joint Command of the Armed Forces of Ecuador, explained that the “actions and decisions undertaken by the national government seriously affect criminal structures and, in response, have unleashed a wave of violence to frighten the population.”
For this reason, he explained, criminal groups have committed bloody acts unprecedented in the history of the nation, but despite their brutal evil, this attempt will fail due to Executive Decree No. 111, which establishes a clear mission: “from this moment on, every terrorist group identified in the aforementioned decree has become a military objective.”
“The present and future of our country is at stake and no act of terror will make us give in. We will not back down or negotiate. Good, justice and order cannot ask permission or bow their heads to terrorists.”
It is worth noting that the armed forces and the police of Ecuador confirmed the escape of another 32 prisoners, including Fabricio Pico, leader of “Los Lobos”, who was accused of planning the murder of prosecutor Diana Salazar.
So far, of the 32 fugitives, at least 20 have been recaptured.
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