By N. H. Gill
Jan. 9, 2024

Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa declared a state of “internal armed conflict” against transnational criminal networks after a wave of street violence swept the South American country.

Gangs torched cars in major cities, took police hostage, and stormed a TV station broadcasting live on Monday, disrupting a police search for drug capo Adolfo Macias, known as Fito, who escaped from a Guayaquil prison on Jan. 8. Ten people were killed and the government called up the military to help police reestablish control.

Source: “Decretos Ejecutivos No. 110 de 08 de enero de 2024 y No. 111 de 09 de enero de 2024, el Presidente de la República del Ecuador declaró el estado de excepción en todo el territorio nacional,” accessed June 11, 2024, https://www.dentons.com/es/insights/articles/2024/january/12/decretos-ejecutivos-no-110-de-08-de-enero-de-2024-y-no-111-de-09-de-enero-de-2024.

Presidencia Ecuador [@Presidencia_Ec], “Ante la situación de seguridad que vive el país,” Tweet, Twitter, January 8, 2024, https://twitter.com/Presidencia_Ec/status/1744469882001883224.