The investigation into the on-air attack on an Ecuadorian television station, led by the public prosecutor, has been disrupted by their murder in a bold daytime shooting in the dangerous city of Guayaquil.
César Suárez, who focused on cases involving organized trans-national crime in Guayas province – one of the country’s most violent areas – was ambushed in the north of the city on Wednesday afternoon.
“The attorney general of Ecuador, Diana Salazar, stated in a video shared on social media that the commitment to Ecuadorian society will not be hindered by criminals or terrorists. She urges the authorities to ensure the safety of those fulfilling their responsibilities.”
Suárez was on the way to a legal proceeding when he was assaulted by individuals in two vehicles and sustained multiple gunshot wounds.
Police announced on Thursday that two individuals involved in a gang have been taken into custody for the assault.
“The national police’s theory is that these perpetrators were affiliated with the terrorist organization ChoneKiller. The motive for the crime is currently being investigated,” stated Gen Víctor Herrera, the police chief of Guayaquil.
The country of Ecuador has recently experienced a significant increase in violent incidents, such as the assault on TC Television’s studio in Guayaquil, the capturing of over 200 prison employees, explosions in multiple cities, and the abduction of police officers.
President Daniel Noboa declared a state of emergency for 60 days and implemented a nighttime curfew. He also identified 22 criminal groups as terrorist organizations in response.
According to reports, Suárez had conducted interviews with the 13 gunmen who were apprehended after special police forces took control of the TV station. He was also looking into the identity of the individual or group responsible for orchestrating the notable attack. In addition, he had experience handling several other significant cases related to drug trafficking and political corruption.
According to authorities, Suárez did not have ongoing police security after May 2023 and did not ask for protection for a virtual hearing on Wednesday.
Ecuador, once known for its tranquility in South America, has experienced a significant increase in homicides over the past five years. In 2020, there were a total of 7,878 murders, as drug cartels from Mexico and foreign criminal organizations have established themselves in the country, using it as a major route for trafficking drugs.
Source: theguardian.com
