President Daniel Noboa decreed a national state of emergency for 60 days Monday, allowing the authorities to suspend rights and mobilize the military in places like prisons.
Armed men broke into the set of a public television channel in Ecuador as it broadcast live on Tuesday and threatened people. The break-in came as the country reels from a series of attacks after the government imposed a state of emergency in the wake of the
Men with their faces covered entered the set of the TC Television network in the port city of Guayaquil and shouted that they had bombs. Noises similar to gunshots could be heard in the background.
The channel broadcast live for at least 15 minutes before the signal was cut off. While the transmission was on, the men could be seen on camera while some employees laid down on the floor and someone was heard yelling «Don’t shoot!»
Ecuador’s Police said on X, formerly Twitter, that some units were deployed to the media facilities.
Hours earlier, Ecuadorian authorities had confirmed a series of attacks around the country, including explosions and the abduction of several police officers.
Police reported four officers were kidnapped on Monday night and remained missing, one in the capital, Quito, and three in Quevedo city.
Separately, agents arrested two people for possession of explosives and as suspects in at least one of the attacks in the South American country.
