Ecuador prosecutor targeting organized crime killed

STORY: An Ecuadorean prosecutor who targeted transnational organized crime was killed in the coastal province of Guayas where he worked - one of the country's most violent areas and the site of an on-air attack on a television station last week.

Cesar Suarez was traveling to a court hearing when he was killed, the council of the judiciary said in a statement on Wednesday condemning the attack.

He had been in charge of investigating the TV station attack.

Ecuador has suffered a recent burst of violence across the country, including some 200 prison staff being taken hostage, explosions in several cities, and the kidnapping of police officers.

In a video message after Suarez's killing, Attorney General Diana Salazar said her murder "shocked us as an institution", but vowed to carry on pursuing the criminals.

"I am going to be emphatic, organised crime groups, criminals, terrorists, will not stop our commitment to Ecuadorean society. We will continue with more strength and commitment."

Salazar expressed her grief for Suarez's family and called on law enforcement to "guarantee the safety those of us who are carrying out our duties."

In response to the series of violent events, last week Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa declared a 60-day state of emergency, including a nighttime curfew.

He also designated 22 criminal groups as terrorist organizations.