Authorities claim there has been the death of a prosecutor looking into last week's attack on a TV station in Ecuador. According to the attorney general, César Suárez was shot and died on Wednesday in the port city of Guayaquil, Guayas province. It's unclear if Mr. Suarez's murder has anything to do with his probe into the attack on the TV station. Last week's dramatic event saw masked individuals breaking into the studio of public TV station TC during a live broadcast and threatening the hosts with guns.
While station employees were made to sit or lie on the studio floor, journalist Jose Luis Calderon was seen appealing to the gunmen in images that were shown live on television. The attack caused a fractured arm for one cameraman and a gunshot wound to another, according to TC's deputy director of news. According to the local media, Mr. Suárez was shot as he was driving close to his office. Another car on social media with gunshot holes in the glass is shown in unverified footage.
Mr. Suárez
One day before he passed away, Mr. Suárez stated he had not received police protection even though he had questioned the 13 persons detained after the attack on the TV station in an interview with the publication El Universo. His murder is the most recent in a string of violent events that have rocked Ecuador, including the explosions in many towns, the escape of two gang leaders from jail, and the kidnapping of hundreds of prison guards. President Daniel Noboa responded by ordering the military to "neutralize" 22 armed groups, which he reclassified as terrorist groups, and imposing a 60-day state of emergency.
Attorney General Diana Salazar responded to Mr. Suarez's passing by saying, "With the fight against organized crime, it is impossible not to be broken by the death of a colleague." In his honor, we shall not waver—for justice, the nation, and him."César, I am grateful for your efforts. Peace be with you, "said the woman on X, the previous Twitter platform.
