Ecuador authorities arrest more than 300 people and rescue hostages

Ecuador's security forces arrested 329 people and rescued 41 during the first nationwide actions to combat organized crime groups, after President Daniel Noboa issued a decree of internal national conflict.

The data was released by the head of the Joint Command of the Armed Forces of Ecuador, Admiral Jaime Vela, and General César Zapata, commander of the National Police.

According to Admiral Vela, the majority of those arrested were linked to the Tiguerones, Los Lobos and Los Choneros groups.

Additionally, there were:

• Death of 5 criminals;
• Recapture of 28 people deprived of their liberty who had fled;
• Recovery of 195 stolen vehicles and 9 boats;
• Seizure of 61 weapons of different calibers, 418 ammunition and 24 explosives.

The Admiral indicated that the interventions are being carried out in coordination with the intelligence services of the Army and the National Police, also counting on the participation of tactical groups from both institutions.

Vela also spoke about the prison guards who were captured in prisons. He stated that, according to information from the SNAI, no agent was murdered, denying videos circulating on social media.

Furthermore, it reported that an elite group is in charge of locating and capturing Adolfo Macías, known as Fito, alleged leader of the Choneros, who escaped from prison on January 7.

General César Zapata, in turn, highlighted that, through the operations, it was possible to rescue four police officers who had been kidnapped in recent days.

The police commander noted that 13 people were detained during the operation to recover the facilities of the TC Televisión channel, which was invaded on Tuesday (9). They are allegedly part of the Tiguerones criminal group, and will be prosecuted for terrorism.