A prosecutor investigating the attack on an Ecuadorian TV station by gang members has been shot dead in what appears to be an assassination.
César Suárez was killed on Wednesday (January 17) as he was travelling to court in Guayaquil, which is known for being one of the most violent parts of the country. Police said they are treating it as an assassination, adding that he sustained multiple gunshot wounds.
Mr Suárez was investigating the recent attacks on TC Televisión orchestrated by gang members, who hijacked the studio and held staff at gunpoint. Police made 13 arrests, including two minors.
Attorney General Diana Salazar said in response to Mr Suárez’s death: “It is impossible not to be broken by the death of a colleague in the fight against organised crime. We will remain firm in his name: for him, for the country, for justice.
Ms Salazar said in a video statement: “The criminals, the terrorists, will not hold back our commitment to Ecuadorian society.
“We call on the forces of order to guarantee the security of those who are carrying out their duties,” she added.
Mr Suárez had previously worked on a number of other high-profile cases involving organised crime in the Guayas province. He reportedly interviewed the 13 gunmen arrested over the TV studio attack before he was gunned down.
The storming of the TV station occurred shortly after the country’s most-wanted gang leader escaped from prison, triggering Ecuadorian president Daniel Noboa to declare a state of emergency.
Measures were put in place last Monday that let authorities suspend people's rights and mobilise the military in places like jails.
Without directly mentioning the gang leader's disappearance, Mr Noboa said in a message on Instagram that he won't stop until he "brings back peace to all Ecuadorians" and that his government has decided to confront crime inside the prisons.
Authorities reported on Sunday that Adolfo Macías, alias "Fito" and leader of the Los Choneros gang, wasn't in his cell, and by Monday they hadn't found him or explained what had happened.
Ecuador's prosecutor's office tweeted on Monday that it had filed charges against two prison guards as part of the investigation into the case, which it is considering as a "prisoner's escape".
Macías was convicted of drug trafficking, murder, and organised crime. He was serving a 34-year sentence in La Regional prison in the port city of Guayaquil, and he was scheduled on Sunday to be transferred to a maximum security facility in the same city.
Los Choneros is one of the Ecuadorian gangs authorities consider responsible for a spike in violence that reached a new level last year with the assassination of the presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio.
Armed police had to fight to seize back control of a state-owned TV station in Ecuador after gunmen tried to hijack the channel and threatened to shoot presenters live on air.
The South American country is at risk of tipping into civil war after Tuesday's violent incidents.
But what is the advice about travelling to the country? Here is what you need to know.
What is the current advice from the Foreign Office?
The Foreign Office has shared the information on the 60-day state of emergency (SOE) following "prison riots and the escape of gang leaders" and the "increased of crime activity nationwide".
On the FO website, it said: "This new SOE includes a daily curfew from 11pm to 5am. Exceptions to the curfew include passengers travelling to/from airports who will need to show their passports or ID and their relevant boarding pass or flight booking.
"Following the SOE announcement, various incidents have escalated throughout the country. There have been reports of a series of explosions, shooting, vehicles set on fire and the abduction of police officials and prison security guards."
There are no official bans yet on travel to the country but there are restrictions advised in certain areas against any visits that are not essential. There may be increased military or police presence around public areas such as airports, bus terminals and streets.
It said: "We advise against all but essential travel to areas within 20km of the Ecuador-Colombia border, except for these areas in Carchi province:
- El Ángel Ecological Reserve
- Rumichaca border crossing
- the town of Tulcán
- the Pan-American Highway
Are there any restrictions on entering Ecuador for Britons?
There are no Covid-19 testing or vaccination requirements for travellers entering Ecuador. You can travel to Ecuador for up to 90 days in any 12-month period without a visa.
For all up-to-date information, visit here.
