Prosecutor Cesar Suarez has recently investigated several high-profile cases of drug-related violent attacks.

A prosecutor investigating an on-air attack on a public television station last week was shot dead in Guayaquil, Ecuador’s largest city.

Prosecutor Cesar Suarez, who had previously investigated several other high-profile cases, was shot while driving on Wednesday, according to Attorney General Diana Salazar.

“Organized criminal groups, criminals and terrorists will not stop our commitment to society,” she said in a video broadcast on X.

It is impossible not to be heartbroken over the death of a colleague in the fight against organized crime. We will stand firm in his name: for him, for the country, for justice.
Thank you for your work, César. Rest in peace. My solidarity with his family and friends. https://t.co/AQN5BvFz5P

— Diana Salazar M. (@DianaSalazarM2) January 17, 2024

Translation: It’s impossible not to be heartbroken over the death of a colleague in the fight against organized crime. We will stand firm in his name: for him, for the country, for justice. Thank you for your work, Cesar. Rest in peace. My solidarity with his family and friends.

#EXPLANATION | Attorney General Diana Salazar M, on behalf of the Ecuadorian Public Prosecutor’s Office, comments on the murder of our colleague Cesar Suarez and the significance of this crime in the context of the current situation in the country.

The Attack on TC Television was broadcast live, prompting President Daniel Noboa to declare that the Andean country was in a state of “internal armed conflict” amid a spate of violent crimes linked to drug trafficking.

Thirteen suspected perpetrators were arrested in connection with the attack on the television station.

Police are investigating who murdered Suarez, who was on his way to a court hearing when he was shot, the Judicial Council said in a statement condemning the attack.

The killing had the hallmarks of an assassination attempt, police said in a statement, adding that Suárez suffered multiple gunshot wounds.

“We reject any form of violence in response to the conflict we are experiencing and confirm the national government’s strong commitment to support justice,” Defense Minister Gian Carlo Loffredo said in a message to journalists.

Suarez also investigated the Metastasis case, which involved an Ecuadorian drug lord who allegedly received preferential treatment from judges, prosecutors, police and high-ranking officials.

Emergency

The South American country, which borders Colombia and Peru, has recently been rocked by several violent attacks, including the taking of more than 200 prison staff hostage, explosions in several cities and the Kidnapping of police officers.

The recent spike in violence followed the escape of Jose Adolfo Macias, also known as “Fito,” the leader of Ecuador’s largest gang, Los Choneros. Macias was serving a 34-year sentence at La Regional Prison in the port city of Guayaquil.

His disappearance in early January prompted the government to do so declare a 60-day state of emergency This also included sending the military to prisons. This led to 30 attacks across the country, including the attack on the television station in Guayaquil.

Ecuador’s National Prison Authority (SNAI) said over the weekend that all prison staff had been taken hostage in a prison riot had been freed.

According to the SNAI, the hostages were previously 158 prison guards and 20 administrative staff who were held in at least seven prisons.

Ecuador’s murder rate quadrupled from 2018 to 2022 and a record 200 tons of drugs were seized last year.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, security in the country has deteriorated. Previously, Ecuador was part of it “Pink Tide” or left-leaning countries in Latin Americaand experienced a period of stability and security from 2007 to 2018 under former President Rafael Correa.