1Berita English – Ecuador’s situation is increasingly tense after the country’s most brutal drug cartel, Los Choneros, declared war against the government on Wednesday (10/1).

This declaration of war came after President Daniel Noboa declared a national state of emergency following the escape of Los Choneros’ leader, Jose Adolfo Macias, alias Fito, from prison over the weekend. Fito is the most ruthless and feared criminal in the country.

Shortly after Fito’s escape, armed members of the gang took several police officers hostage, launched several attacks, and explosions in various cities in Ecuador, including the capital, Quito.

A video circulating on social media shows three kidnapped police officers sitting on the ground with guns pointed at them. One of the police officers is ordered to read a statement from the gang.

“You declare war, you will get war. You declare a national state of emergency; we declare police, civilians, and the military as spoils of war,” said one of the hostage police officers in the video with a fearful tone.

The gang also threatened to execute anyone found roaming after 11 p.m.

Armed individuals with masks also attacked a television station, forcefully entering the studio during a live broadcast. The tense moment was captured live and broadcast nationwide.

However, the military quickly apprehended them shortly after the incident.

This situation has triggered fear among the population, especially in the capital, where shops and businesses closed early. Residents were seen hurrying home, ending their activities.

Schools were also closed nationwide until this Friday. According to The Telegraph, at least 10 people were killed in the drug gang attacks.

President Noboa strongly condemned the series of drug gang attacks and vowed to fight and capture the criminals.

“The time is up for drug dealers, murderers, and criminal organizations to dictate what the government should do,” Noboa said.

Noboa, 35, was elected as Ecuador’s President in the November elections. During his campaign, he promised to eradicate criminal organizations and gangs.

“We will not negotiate with terrorists, and we will not rest until we can restore peace to the people of Ecuador,” Noboa stated in his social media post.

The Chief of the Joint Command of Ecuador’s Armed Forces, Jaime Vela, stated that these criminal gangs have “committed unprecedented bloody crimes.”

Vela emphasized that the crimes of these criminal gangs would not succeed.

So far, Ecuadorian authorities have arrested dozens of people since Fito escaped, including several police officials suspected of assisting the criminal in his prison break.

This chaotic situation is raising concerns among Ecuador‘s neighboring countries, as well as the United States and the United Nations (UN).

“The Secretary-General is very concerned about the worsening situation in this country and the disruptive impact on the lives of the people of Ecuador,” said UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, as quoted by AFP on Wednesday (10/1).