Instability in Ecuador: 'A paradoxical situation'

On January 13, Ecuador's SNAI prison administration announced that more than 40 prison staff members who had been taken hostage by inmates had been released, amid the country's struggle to cope with brutal gang violence.

A wave of violence is sweeping across Ecuador. (Image caption: Illustration taken on January 13, 2024. Source: Reuters)

They are among 178 guards and administrative staff taken hostage since the beginning of the week at least seven prisons as the security crisis escalates in the South American country.

SNAI reported that several incidents had occurred at a number of prisons, including an armed confrontation with inmates at a prison in El Oro province that resulted in the death of a guard. The agency's statement said that a wounded guard remained inside the prison.

According to SNAI, a group of 24 guards and 17 administrative staff "have been released," but no further details were provided. Currently, 133 guards and 3 administrative staff remain held hostage.

Ecuador is facing an extremely unstable security situation amid rampant criminal gang activity and escalating violence in prisons.

Within the past 24 hours, new violence has been reported in Ecuadorian prisons, with one guard killed and another injured. Additionally, several "armed clashes" occurred at the Machala prison in the southwest of the country.

Meanwhile, police sources said that on the evening of January 12, at least five prisoners escaped from a large prison in Guayaquil, two of whom were apprehended shortly afterward in a raid. The army and police have been raiding detention centers in six cities to restore order.

On January 8th, Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa declared a nationwide state of emergency for 60 days, deploying armed forces to the streets and prisons, and imposing a curfew from 11:00 PM to 5:00 AM (local time). This decision came after riots broke out in six prisons across Ecuador.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/bat-on-o-ecuador-chuyen-nguoc-doi-hang-chuc-nhan-vien-nha-tu-duoc-tu-nhan-tra-tu-do-257355.html