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Ecuador’s president formally declared an “internal armed conflict” as masked men wreaked havoc on a live television broadcast yesterday.
The men were armed with guns and forced staff to sit and lie down on the floor. Gunshots could be heard as the men warned that they had bombs. No one was killed in the attack. Thirteen of the intruders were arrested, and authorities said each will be charged with terrorism.
But this isn’t an isolated incident. More than 130 prison guards and staff have been held hostage by inmates in at least five prisons around Ecuador since Monday. Additionally, a notorious gang leader escaped from prison over the weekend.
President Daniel Noboa has now placed the country in a 60-day state of emergency.