Drug Gangs Take Over TV Station, Prisons in Ecuador

Armed, hooded men attacked an Ecuadorian television station during a live broadcast on Tuesday, forcing terrified staff onto the floor, as the country’s new president declared a state of armed conflict. Gunshots could be heard in the background, though police said no one was injured. Security forces detained about 10 of the alleged assailants, some of whom appeared to be members of the powerful gangs Los Tiguerones and Los Lobos. The TV station takeover was one of several attacks across the country in a chaotic 24-hour period, police said, including about 30 car explosions and the kidnapping of seven police officers. Riots have also broken out at several prisons, with reports that dozens of guards were held by armed men In response to this President Noboa has ordered designated the gangs as terrorists and ordered the military to kill them at will