Carla Angelica Bohorquez Luque arrived home from working as a psychologist in the city of Guayaquil, Ecuador, when she heard her neighbour scream: “They have taken over Channel 10! They have kidnapped them!” The channel was the state-owned TC Television. Luque ran upstairs to watch the unfolding crisis on her television with her mother, masked men waved guns and explosives during a live broadcast in the studio.
“They had several men with cameras lying on the floor,” the 35-year-old told The Independent. “They were pointing machine guns at them.” It was part of a surge in violence across the country, which has seen the escape of two gang leaders from prison, hundreds of prison guards taken hostage and explosions in several cities. In response, President Daniel Noboa declared a 60-day state of emergency and ordered the military to “neutralise” 22 armed groups which he redefined as terrorist organisations. Days after the TV station attack, the prosecutor investigating the incident, Cesar Suarez, was shot dead.
Even though Luque would consider herself relatively unflappable, she felt lost thinking about the impact of the TV station attack and the wider violence could have on her family, particularly being pregnant.
“I felt like I was in a movie,” she says of that day. “I knew I was protected inside my house, but my brother, niece, and husband were outside running the risk of a stray bullet. When my husband managed to get back home, I burst into tears. I felt like I could breathe again.”
The violence started when it was discovered on 7 January that gang kingpin Adolfo Macías otherwise known as Fito, leader of Los Choneros, who was supposed to be moved to a different prison, was not in his cell.
Denne historien er fra January 21, 2024-utgaven av The Independent.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra January 21, 2024-utgaven av The Independent.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Chelsea's autographs ban a sign of the times for WSL
The Women's Super League enters a new era as the holders host Aston Villa in tonight's opener, writes Jamie Braidwood
Raya penalty save rescues Arsenal in forgettable draw
A double save reflects a double-edged display. It could have been worse for Arsenal, it never really looked like getting much better.
Driving down electricity prices is not all good news
Europe has seen a record number of hours this year where electricity prices dropped below zero – a sign of progress in renewable energy generation but also a growing challenge that has lessons for other countries.
Why borrowers must wait for help on interest rates
Bank of England will pencil in a November cut but do not hold out for a further reduction this year, warns James Moore
Zelensky's right-hand man fights Russian chess moves
Adviser wants to block Moscow’s return to international fold
Israeli arrested over 'plot to assassinate Netanyahu'
An Israeli man has been arrested on suspicion of involvement in a plot to assassinate prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu or other senior officials after being recruited by Iran, Israel's internal security service has said.
Device explosions 'cross all red lines' – Hezbollah chief
Tensions rise as Israel launches major strikes on Lebanon after two days of detonating group’s pagers and walkie-talkies
Last daily Evening Standard published as it goes weekly
The final daily print edition of London's Evening Standard landed on the capital's streets yesterday ahead of its relaunching next week as a weekly title.
Standing charge: 10 busiest trains in England and Wales
One rush-hour train through London carries more than twice as many passengers as seats available, new government figures reveal.
Mohamed al-Fayed accused of rape by ex-staff members
More than 20 women have accused former Harrods boss Mohamed al-Fayed of sexual assault, including rape.