Ecuador Declares ‘Internal Armed Conflict’ as Gunmen Take Over Live Broadcast

Ecuador’s president declared an “internal armed conflict” on Tuesday afternoon after scores of gunmen took over public spaces throughout the country, including a live TV broadcast that showed chilling images of men donning balaclavas and carrying rifles.

Cameras captured the hooded men forcing the staff of TC Television to get on the ground, holding journalists at gunpoint as screams and gunshots were heard in the background.

Footage of the takeover has since gone viral online, and reporters held hostage inside the Guayaquil-based station flooded messaging groups with pleas for help, reported El Universo.

Read more at The Daily Beast.