On Sunday, Ecuador’s security forces regained control of several prisons which previously fell into the control of Gang Members. More than 200 hundred officials held as hostage were released. The Country was facing a crisis since a week as the Government and 22 Narcotic’s Gangs declared ‘all-out war’ on each other. This happened after the escape from the Guayaquil Prison of a Powerful Drug Lord, Jose Adolfo Macias. Jose goes by the alias ‘Fito’ and leads the Gang ‘Los Choneros’. This jeopardised the nation’s security and safety.
There have been riots in prisons with enormous gang-control. While Prison Guards and Administrative Workers were taken as hostage, violence broke out on the streets. About 19 people were killed. Several images of theft and gruesome murders in Ecuador have gone viral on social media platforms. Over 22,000 Security Force Officers were deployed to the streets. They stripped men walking down the road to check if they have any tattoo that would represent their involvement with a Gang. More than 1,300 arrests were made and 8 Terrorists were killed while 27 Prison Escapees were arrested again.
In one of the statements released by the Mayor, 61 employees were held hostage in the prison of Cuenca. The army has now gained total control of that prison and safely escorted the innocent national security representatives. Videos showing prison walls being blown up have been shared by the army. They also shared images of several cowed shirtless and barefoot inmates lying on the ground. “Thank God we all got out safely” said a prison employee.
General Pablo Velasco told Caracol Tv that they have resumed control over six centres and are currently working on taking control over the last prison, Cotopaxi under Narco-Gang Control. President Daniel Noboa celebrated and rejoiced the release of 201 prison guards and administrative officials over seven provinces. He said “Congratulations to the patriotic, professional and courageous work of the armed forces, national police and the SNAI… for achieving the release of the prison guards and administrative staff held in the detention centers of Azuay, Canar, Esmeraldas, Cotopaxi, Tungurahua, El Oro and Loja,”.
Several Guards were seen extremely tired and overwhelmed after their escape as they were seen in tears. Often Prison Cells are used as medium for the dealings of narcotics. They indulge in drug trafficking , ordee assassinations and fight to death. Over 460 people have died in harsh conflicts since February 2021. They were either beheaded or burnt. The officials are trying their best to avoid such circumstances in the future and prioritise safety while enforcing law and order.
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