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Video length: 6 min
Ecuador: the war rages against the cartels
Ecuador: the war rages against the cartels – (France 2)
At the beginning of January, in Ecuador, drug traffickers invaded a television set, threatening the presenter live with a gun. The country is in the grip of an extremely violent gang war, but the new president intends to put an end to it, even if it means using force.
The most dangerous slum in Guayaquil, capital of Ecuador, is called by locals “the city of God”. In the early morning, the police pulled residents out of bed, looking for weapons. They are suspected of helping traffickers. The police remain on alert, because the cartels reign supreme in the slum. “We have declared war on the terrorist group”, says Lieutenant Colonel Reoberto Santamaria. Now the gangs are designated as terrorists. Even when arrested, two alleged gang leaders defy the police armed to the teeth.
A judge killed in broad daylight
The escape of drug lord “Fito” from a prison sparked a stir in the country in early January. An unprecedented wave of violence has hit Ecuador. A gang took the staff of a television channel hostage in full live broadcast. The hostage takers were arrested, but the cartels demonstrated their power, showing that they are above the law in the country. A few days later, the judge in charge of the investigation was assassinated in broad daylight, in the street. The army has since been deployed on the streets.
