Ecuador Prosecutor Investigating TV Studio Attack Shot Dead

In a tragic turn of events, Prosecutor César Suárez, who was actively investigating a recent attack on an Ecuador TV station, was shot and killed on Wednesday in Guayaquil, the country's most dangerous city, AP reports.

The Ecuador prosecutor, known for handling high-profile cases, was targeted while driving, according to Attorney General Diana Salazar.

The attack at TC Television last week saw masked assailants storming the studio during a live broadcast, leading to the arrest of thirteen individuals.

President Daniel Noboa declared an "internal armed conflict" in response to escalating violence linked to drug trafficking.

Suárez, who was also overseeing the Metastasis case involving a drug lord, had not been provided with police protection, as revealed in an interview one day before his tragic death.

The motive behind Suárez's killing remains unclear, raising concerns about its potential connection to the TV station attack investigation.

Dramatic TV Station Attack Leaves Journalists Threatened and Injured

During the televised assault last week, masked individuals entered TC Television's studio, threatening journalists at gunpoint, BBC noted.

The live broadcast caught scenes of journalist Jose Luis Calderon pleading with the gunmen while the station staff were forced to sit or lie on the studio floor.

The attack resulted in injuries, with one cameraman shot in the leg and another sustaining a broken arm.

In a poignant response to Suárez's death, Attorney General Diana Salazar expressed her sorrow, emphasizing their commitment to the fight against organized crime.

"It is impossible not to be broken by the death of a colleague in the fight against organized crime. We will remain firm in his name: for him, for the country, for justice. "Thank you for your work, César. Rest in peace," she wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The killing adds to the recent surge of violence in Ecuador, marked by prison escapes, hostage situations, and explosions in various cities.

Drug Cartels Unleash Violence in Response to Government Crackdown

Ecuador, once considered a haven of peace in Latin America, is grappling with a wave of violence orchestrated by drug cartels in response to government efforts to crack down on organized crime, according to Black Hills Pioneer.

President Noboa declared a "state of war" as drug cartels escalated their campaign of kidnappings and attacks.

The country, home to more than 20 criminal gangs with over 20,000 members, faces a crisis fueled by transnational cartels using its ports for drug trafficking.

The recent violence intensified after the escape of narco boss Jose Adolfo Macias, triggering a series of retaliatory actions by the gangs.

Authorities imposed a state of emergency and nighttime curfew, but the gangs retaliated, threatening civilians and security forces and taking dozens of hostages.

Prison riots, city explosions, and car burnings ensued.

While authorities recently regained control of prisons, Ecuador faces challenges as violence targets key figures, including prosecutors and anti-cartel campaigners.

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) condemned the violence, urging the state to investigate and prosecute with diligence.

Ecuador's escalating murder rate and a record 220 tons of seized drugs in 2022 underscore the urgency of addressing the complex issues contributing to the country's security crisis.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

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