Prosecutor investigating attack on TV studio in Ecuador is shot dead in Guayaquil

QUITO, Ecuador (AP) — A prosecutor investigating a dramatic attack on the set of a public television channel last week was shot dead Wednesday in Guayaquil, Ecuador’s most dangerous city.

Prosecutor César Suárez, who had conducted other high-profile investigations in the past, was shot while driving a vehicle, Attorney General Diana Salazar said.

“Organized crime groups, criminals and terrorists will not stop our involvement in society,” she said in a video broadcast on X, formerly Twitter.

Thirteen alleged perpetrators have been arrested in the attack on TC Television, which was broadcast live and prompted President Daniel Noboa to declare that Ecuador is in an “internal armed conflict” amid a wave of murders and other crimes linked to drug trafficking .

Suárez was also in charge of the Metastasis case involving an Ecuadorian drug lord who reportedly received favorable treatment from judges, prosecutors, police officers and high-ranking officials.

Ecuadorian police said they were working to find those responsible for Suarez’s murder.

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