Ecuadorian Journalist's Terrifying Encounter: Gang Threats and Gun Violence

An Ecuadorian journalist, Jose Luis Calderon, was held at gunpoint by hooded gunmen who burst into a TV studio, threatening to kill him if police arrived and stuffing his jacket with an improvised explosive. The gunmen also touched his colleagues inappropriately and took them hostage on live TV. After police arrived and dispersed the armed group, 13 were arrested and are set to be charged with terror offences. The country was driven to a civil war after the escape of drug lord Adolfo Macias, with citizens resorting to taking up arms to defend themselves. All 136 hostages seized during prison riots were eventually freed, with at least two hostages killed by the inmates.