On Wednesday, the Ecuadorian Prosecutor’s Office announced the murder of the official in charge of investigating the recent assault on the TC television channel, perpetrated by armed men.
Carlos Suárez, an anti-mafia prosecutor, was responsible for determining which criminal group was behind the takeover of the channel in the middle of a live broadcast. However, he was unable to finish his investigation as he was shot in Guayaquil while he was traveling in his vehicle, shortly after leaving his office at the judicial police station.
Attorney General Diana Salazar reported the tragic event through a video shared on social media. “In the face of the murder of our colleague César Suárez ... I am going to be emphatic: organized crime groups, criminals, terrorists will not stop our commitment to Ecuadorian society,” she said.
Es imposible no quebrarse por la muerte de un compañero en la lucha contra la delincuencia organizada. Seguiremos firmes en su nombre: por él, por el país, por la justicia.
Gracias por su trabajo, César. Descanse en paz. Mi solidaridad con su familia y amigos. https://t.co/AQN5BvFz5P— Diana Salazar M. (@DianaSalazarM2) January 17, 2024
Several images were also shared by various media outlets that show how Suárez’s car was hit with several gunshots right in the driver’s window. Authorities have already began an investigation into the attack.
It should be noted that prosecutor Salazar had already reported death threats from Los Lobos, one of Ecuador's main criminal organizations.
Two men suspected of being involved in the murder of the prosecutor were arrested. This was revealed Thursday by Police Commander General César Zapata.
"We have apprehended two suspects involved in the murder of the prosecutor César Suárez, after investigative steps that allowed to identify the alleged participation in the criminal act," said the police chief.
#Urgente ||
Hemos aprehendido a 2 presuntos implicados en el asesinato del fiscal César Suárez, en #GYE, tras diligencias investigativas que permitieron identificar la presunta participación en el hecho criminal.
Indicios: fusil, 2 pistolas, alimentadoras y 2 vehículos. pic.twitter.com/aKYdiRAhkZ
— GraD. César Augusto Zapata Correa (@CmdtPoliciaEc) January 18, 2024
The attack on the television station
The shocking takeover of TC occurred on Jan. 9 during a terrible violent crisis that hit the country after the escape of drug trafficker Adolfo Macías, alias “Fito.”
During the assault, several hooded men entered the media headquarters and threatened journalists and workers with firearms and grenades. Television cameras captured the assault on video, since when the criminals entered the facility; a television program was being broadcast live.
🇪🇨 | URGENTE: Delincuentes irrumpieron en TC Televisión y secuestran a todos en vivo y directo en Guayaquil, Ecuador. pic.twitter.com/ob1yleusOc
— Alerta Mundial (@AlertaMundoNews) January 9, 2024
After this violent incident and several others were reported that same day, President Daniel Noboa declared the country in “internal armed conflict,” identified criminal gangs as terrorists and deployed thousands of soldiers to confront the violence.
