In a dramatic turn of events, inmates in six prisons in Ecuador have released the 50 guards and seven police officers who were held hostage. The state prison institute confirmed on Friday that all hostages were freed and are currently undergoing medical evaluation to ensure their well-being.
Although the exact details of when and where the guards and police officers were captured remain unclear, a journalist on the scene reported that at one prison in Cuenca, three inmates on the roof demanded the retreat of uniformed officers.
This incident follows the overnight detonation of two car bombs near prisons authority buildings in Quito, the capital city. Fortunately, there were no casualties in these attacks. Additionally, the capital experienced three grenade explosions, which are uncommon in the area.
Ecuador, once known as a peaceful country, has become a battleground for drug cartels due to its strategic geographical location. With its large ports, widespread corruption, and a dollarized economy, the country has been used as a hub for drug trafficking. Drug cartels have infiltrated the prison system, leading to high levels of violence, including massacres and brutal gang conflicts.
The recent violence is taking place against the backdrop of an election marked by the assassination of a prominent presidential candidate. The journalist and anti-corruption advocate Fernando Villavicencio was killed publicly, allegedly by one of the powerful gangs. As a result, six Colombians accused of his murder were transferred between prisons to prevent gang violence. To further address the prison crisis, President Guillermo Lasso declared a state of emergency and deployed soldiers to manage the penitentiary system.
The state of Ecuador’s prisons has become a significant topic of debate ahead of the upcoming second-round election. One of the candidates, Daniel Noboa, has proposed the leasing of ships to hold the country’s most violent prisoners offshore as a possible solution.
In conclusion, the release of the hostages in Ecuador marks a critical development in the ongoing violence plaguing the country’s prisons. It underscores the urgent need for effective measures to address corruption, gang control, and drug trafficking within the prison system.
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