Ecuador roiled by on-air take-over of TV studio by gunmen, other violence

FILE PHOTO: Police officers stand in formation outside El Inca prison after a security operation due to riots, following the disappearance of Jose Adolfo Macias, alias 'Fito', leader of the Los Choneros criminal group, in Quito, Ecuador, January 8, 2024. REUTERS/Karen Toro/File Photo

GUAYAQUIL/QUITO (Reuters) -Ecuador faced a string of violent incidents on Tuesday, including the on-air invasion of a TV station by gunmen, as President Daniel Noboa named 22 gangs as terrorist organizations and military targets.

Police arrested 13 gunmen who took over television station TC during a live broadcast, while elsewhere at least seven police officers were kidnapped and there were several explosions around the country.