Video journalists Marko Alvarez, Bogota, Colombia; and Cesar Olmos, Peru; photographers Dolores Ochoa, Quito; and Fernando Vergara, Bogota; and Quito correspondent Gonzalo Solano for coordinating as a multi-format team to produce consistently outstanding images – photo and video – during nearly two weeks of violent protests by indigenous demonstrators who clashed with police and journalists, creating a risky, complicated environment for newsgathering.
At one point a teargas cannister fired by police went directly into our live video backpack, burning parts of the unit and melting cables. Alvarez was quick to pull out the scorching-hot cannister, change the cables, cool the unit off, and within minutes was back on the air live. On the worst day of confrontation our staff had teargas and pepper spray fired at them by authorities at three separate locations, and when our crews were among the journalists and police held against their will for hours by indigenous groups, AP won the play with faster video edits.