10 killed in Ecuador gang violence

At least 10 people, including two law enforcement officers, have been killed in violence linked to criminal gangs in Ecuador, police said Tuesday (January 10).

The country’s president described the incident as “an internal armed conflict.”

Eight people were dead and three injured in a series of attacks in the port city of Guayaquil, a local police chief said at a press conference.

In a separate statement posted on X, police also said that two officers were “viciously murdered by armed criminals” in the nearby town of Nobol.

Long a peaceful haven sandwiched between top cocaine exporters Colombia and Peru, Ecuador has seen violence explode in recent years as rival gangs with links to Mexican and Colombian cartels vie for control. 

After the escape of Jose Adolfo Macias, aka "Fito" -- leader of Ecuador's biggest gang Los Choneros -- Noboa on Monday declared a countrywide state of emergency and nightly curfew.

Gangs retaliated, taking police officers hostage, setting off explosions in several cities and on Tuesday storming a studio of state-owned TC Television in Guayaquil with guns and explosives.

Hooded attackers fired gunshots during a live TC broadcast as a woman could be heard pleading: "Don't shoot, please don't shoot."

The intruders forced terrified crew onto the ground and a person could be heard screaming as the studio lights went out but the broadcast continued.

Police entered the studio after about 30 minutes of chaos.

(With inputs from agencies)