The authorities have been seeking to regain control of prisons following surge in violence linked to drug trafficking gangs/ EPA-EFE/REX/SHUTTERSTOCK
In a disturbing turn of events, more than 50 prison guards and seven police officers have been taken hostage in multiple jails across Ecuador, according to official reports. The crisis unfolded alongside two car bomb attacks in the capital city of Quito, both aimed at the country’s prisons authority (SNAI). Fortunately, no injuries were reported in the bombings, and authorities have already apprehended six individuals in connection with the incidents.
Authorities suspect that at least one of the attacks may be in retaliation for a recent police operation to search for weapons in one of Ecuador’s largest prisons. The Interior Minister, Juan Zapata, expressed concern for the safety of officials and assured the public that action was being taken, although specific details were not disclosed.
Earlier in the day, a bomb targeted a building previously used by the SNAI in Quito, followed by a second explosion at the agency’s headquarters. The latter attack involved a vehicle rigged with explosives. Additionally, there were reports of grenade explosions in the city during the night, as stated by Quito Mayor Pabel Munoz.
These incidents highlight the escalating violence associated with drug trafficking gangs in Ecuador, which has placed immense pressure on the already strained and overcrowded prison system. In recent years, hundreds of inmates have lost their lives in deadly clashes within the country’s prisons.
The two bomb attacks targeted Ecuador’s prisons authority/ Reuters
To address the situation and prevent further violence, a comprehensive search for weapons and explosives was conducted by hundreds of police officers and soldiers at Cotopaxi jail in the southern city of Latacunga on Wednesday. Ecuador’s President, Guillermo Lasso, acknowledged that the measures taken, particularly within the prison system, have provoked violent reactions from criminal organizations attempting to intimidate the state. However, he emphasized the government’s unwavering commitment to capturing dangerous criminals, dismantling criminal gangs, and restoring peace within the country’s prisons.
The situation remains tense as authorities work to secure the release of the hostages and maintain order within the prison system. The government’s determination to combat criminal activities and ensure the safety of its officials underscores the gravity of the situation and the urgent need for effective measures to address the underlying issues contributing to the violence in Ecuador’s prisons.