Ecuadorian singer Diego Gallardo died due to the impact of a stray bullet during violent riots caused by criminal gangs.
As confirmed by Miguel Ángel Loor, president of the Professional Football League of Ecuador (and cousin-in-law of Gallardo), the artist, known as Aire del Golfo, was hit by the bullet while he was in his vehicle (he was going to pick up his only son from school):
Dieguito Gallardo died from a stray bullet. He was going to pick up his son from school. A first-class young man, musician, father, husband, son, brother, grandson, all first-class. My wife's cousin, my cousin. What a disgrace. A family destroyed.
The singer rose to fame in 2019 with the release of his album Dejar Zumbar 1 with the success of his single Mujer Pitahaya.
Violence in Ecuador
In the last few hours, violence exploded in the streets of Ecuador, when armed groups began to take over prisons, schools and even a television channel, whose footage quickly went viral on social networks. In response, the president of Ecuador signed an executive decree declaring Internal Armed Conflict in Ecuador.
Daniel Noboa, the youngest president in the country's history, authorized the Armed Forces to "carry out military operations to neutralize these groups."
On his X account, formerly Twitter, the president also identified the criminal groups targeted by the aforementioned decree.
"I have signed the executive decree declaring Internal Armed Conflict and identified the following transnational organized crime groups as terrorist organizations and belligerent non-state actors: Águilas, ÁguilasKiller, Ak47, Caballeros Oscuros, ChoneKiller, Choneros, Covicheros, Cuartel de las Feas, Cubanos, Fatales, Gánster, Kater Piler, Lagartos, Latin Kings, Lobos, Los p.27, Los Tiburones, Mafia 18, Mafia Trébol, Patrones, R7, Tiguerones," wrote Noboa, who recently came to power after his predecessor Guillermo Lasso resigned.
He firmado el decreto ejecutivo declarando Conflicto Armado Interno e identifiqué a los siguientes grupos del crimen organizado transnacional como organizaciones terroristas y actores no estatales beligerantes: Águilas, ÁguilasKiller, Ak47, Caballeros Oscuros, ChoneKiller,… pic.twitter.com/rVfSTFmHlG
— Daniel Noboa Azin (@DanielNoboaOk) January 9, 2024
The president announced that after the violent incidents he met with the Public and State Security Council. “We will not allow terrorist groups to break the peace of the country,” he said along with a photograph of the meeting.
At least ten deaths have been recorded
The mayor of the city of Guayaquil, Aquiles Álvarez, reported that during the violent day, 29 critical incidents related to armed criminals were recorded, which left at least eight people dead and two injured. Additionally, two police officers were killed in the nearby town of Nobol.
“There are no words that can fill a void for people who have lost a loved one today. These are hard times, but when the streets get tough, only the tough walk, and here we are,” he said.
Violence took over Ecuador
Perhaps in one of the most striking images of recent times in Latin America, a group of armed and hooded men violently broke into the Gamavisión channel, where they kidnapped the workers and threatened them with using their weapons and explosives.
One of the program's hosts was targeted live and they even put an explosive in his pockets, further increasing tensions.
In addition, another criminal group broke into the University of Guayaquil, where they locked students and professors in classrooms. In images shared on social media, university students can be seen running around the campus, trying to flee from the criminals.
ALERTA. Grupo de prensa de periodistas de la Policía de la zona 8 reportan un robo dentro de las instalaciones de Gamavisión y de TC. Entraron encapuchados y dejaron un explosivo. Golpearon y asaltaron a colaboradores y revisaron los cajones de recepción de Gama. En TC están en… https://t.co/Sr0fbhE2Lt pic.twitter.com/EHLtSXG1dy
— LaDefensa (@LaDefensaEc) January 9, 2024
