Ecuador’s government has launched a large-scale security operation to free dozens of prison guards who have been taken hostage by inmates in a series of unprecedented and violent incidents across the country’s prisons. In response to the escalating crisis, President Guillermo Lasso declared a state of emergency in the jails, and thousands of police forces have been deployed to restore order.
The unrest began with a brutal clash between rival gangs in Guayas prison, located in the port city of Guayaquil, resulting in at least six fatalities and 11 injuries. This incident acted as a catalyst for violence to spread rapidly across a dozen other jails, where inmates embarked on hunger strikes, further intensifying the situation. During the chaos, inmates in at least five penitentiaries held prison guards hostage, creating a highly tense and dangerous situation.
The situation is particularly alarming as Ecuador’s prisons are notoriously overcrowded, exacerbating the risk of violence and making it challenging for authorities to maintain control and separate rival gang members effectively. In recent years, deadly gang fights have become all too common, leading to hundreds of inmate deaths. The attacks are often coordinated, and retaliatory actions in other prisons can occur following a violent incident, leading to simultaneous riots across different prison facilities.
In the city of Cuenca, Turi jail alone is holding 53 prison guards captive, according to the governor of Azuay province, Consuelo Orellana. However, the exact number of hostages in other facilities remains uncertain, as Ecuador’s prison service, Snai, has not provided a comprehensive count.
Despite the volatile and tense situation, the authorities are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of the hostages. The prison service reported that the guards held hostage are in “good shape,” and every effort is being made to secure their safe release.
As part of the ongoing security operation, the Ecuador security forces have managed to regain control of three wings of Guayas prison. To achieve this, controlled explosions were used to gain entry to blocked doors, as reported by Minister Zapata. The deployment of approximately 2,700 security personnel to Guayas prison indicates the severity of the situation and the government’s determination to bring the crisis under control.
The Ecuador government is facing a significant challenge in addressing the underlying issues contributing to the violence in its prisons, including overcrowding, gang conflicts, and the need for improved security measures. It is crucial for the authorities to take comprehensive and sustainable steps to reform the prison system, ensuring the safety of inmates and prison staff and fostering an environment that promotes rehabilitation and reduces tensions among rival gangs. Only by addressing these structural issues can Ecuador hope to prevent future outbreaks of violence in its correctional facilities.
On Monday, President Lasso declared a state of emergency and night curfews in three coastal provinces after a spate of murders over the weekend, including the killing of the mayor of the city of Manta. The measure will be in force for 60 days.
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