'Neutralise them!'

President gives order to wipe out gangs in lawless Ecuador

- Mark Reynolds

THE leader of Ecuador has ordered his army to "neutralise" murderous drug gangs, as his country is gripped by violence.

Armed mobs ran riot after President Daniel Noboa - elected last year on a pledge to fight drug-related violence declared a state of emergency and a nightly curfew on Monday.

It followed the escape of jailed Jose Adolfo Macias, known as "Fito", who leads Choneros, the South American country's largest gang.

Horrifying video showed footage gangs storming stateowned TC Television in the port city of Guayaquil during a news broadcast.

They held shotguns to the heads of terrified staff as they paraded them on air. Öne woman was heard pleading "Don't shoot! Please don't shoot!". Another said: "Please, they came in to kill us. God, don't let this happen! The criminals are on air."