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Ecuador descends into cartel violence (VIDEOS) Ecuador descends into cartel violence (VIDEOS)
(32 minutes later)
Footage posted to social media shows criminals gangs running amok and taking security forces hostage Footage posted to social media has shown criminals gangs running amok and taking security forces hostage
Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa declared an “internal armed conflict” in the country on Tuesday after gunmen stormed a TV station and reportedly took police officers hostage. Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa declared a state of “internal armed conflict” on Tuesday after gunmen stormed a TV station and attacked police officers around the country.
Police and security forces were deployed in Ecuador’s largest city, Guayaquil, where masked gunmen overrun the headquarters of TC Television, interrupting a live broadcast. Security forces were deployed in Ecuador’s largest city, Guayaquil, where masked gunmen overran the headquarters of TC Television, interrupting a live broadcast.
Several attackers have since been detained and “the vast majority” of the hostages were rescued, according to presidential spokesman Roberto Izurieta Canova. More than a dozen attackers have since been detained and “the vast majority” of the hostages were rescued, according to presidential spokesman Roberto Izurieta Canova. 
🚨🇪🇨#BREAKING: The military are taking positions on the streets of Ecuador. pic.twitter.com/XbQuQtSfsV🚨🇪🇨#BREAKING: The military are taking positions on the streets of Ecuador. pic.twitter.com/XbQuQtSfsV
BREAKING: CARTEL MEMBERS HAVE SURRENDERED TO POLICE AND SOME HOSTAGES HAVE BEEN RESCUED IN ECUADOR pic.twitter.com/RKiLxaIUc7BREAKING: CARTEL MEMBERS HAVE SURRENDERED TO POLICE AND SOME HOSTAGES HAVE BEEN RESCUED IN ECUADOR pic.twitter.com/RKiLxaIUc7
Videos posted to social media show armed men on the streets on Guayaquil. One person was filmed holding what appears to be a rocket launcher. Videos posted to social media showed armed men on the streets on Guayaquil. One person was filmed holding what appears to be a rocket launcher.
CHAOS IN ECUADOR: A criminal is captured carrying a bazooka in the middle of a public street in Guayaquil. pic.twitter.com/u2EpxjAM5cCHAOS IN ECUADOR: A criminal is captured carrying a bazooka in the middle of a public street in Guayaquil. pic.twitter.com/u2EpxjAM5c
DETAILS TO FOLLOW At least seven police officers were kidnapped in three cities, the National Police said on Tuesday. Several prison guards were also reportedly taken hostage as well.
An unverified video shows security officials guarded by hooded and masked men armed with knives. Extremely graphic videos circulating online show gang members executing at least two police officers. 
BREAKING: POLICE OFFICIALS ARE BEING KIDNAPPED AND THREATENED WITH GUNS AND KNIVES BY THE CARTEL IN ECUADOR pic.twitter.com/7bAvwbKOtn
A video posted on social media on Tuesday showed one of the captive officers reading a message addressed to the president, while a gun was pointed at his head. 
“You declared war, you will get war,” the officer said. “You declared a state of emergency. We declare police, civilian and soldiers to be the spoils of war.”
There were unverified reports of criminals rampaging through the University of Guayaquil on Tuesday. Many students fled the main building in panic and some barricaded themselves on campus. The university later released a statement denying that an attack had taken place.
NOW: Ecuador is in total chaos as armed gangs have reportedly stormed the University of Guayaquil, attempting to kidnap students. pic.twitter.com/5IiK9P5ICk
Noboa is a banana fortune heir who won the presidential election in October on a promise to tackle violent crime. He declared the state of emergency on Monday, after notorious gang leaders Adolfo ‘Fito’ Macias and Fabricio Colon escaped during a series of prison riots that began on Sunday in six of the country’s provinces. The authorities have blamed the violence on organized crime linked to drug cartels in Colombia and Mexico.