Ecuadorean prosecutor Cesar Suarez, who focused on pursuing organized trans-national crime in the violent Guayas province, has been killed, Reuters reports.
Suarez was leading the investigation into an on-air attack on TC Television in Guayaquil. Police have arrested 13 individuals, including two minors, in connection with the TC Television attack. The circumstances surrounding Suarez’s killing while traveling to a court hearing remain unclear, an investigation has been launched into his killing.
Ecuador has witnessed a surge in violence, including the TC Television attack, the hostage-taking of prison staff, explosions in several cities, and the kidnapping of police officers. In response, President Daniel Noboa declared a 60-day state of emergency and designated 22 criminal groups as terrorist organizations.