Ecuador President Guillermo Lasso Declares State of Emergency in All Prisons Amid Violence

Ecuador's President Guillermo Lasso has taken decisive actions to address the recent surge of violence in the country, which has resulted in at least 31 deaths.

In response to the situation, Lasso has exercised executive power to suspend people's rights of assembly in certain areas and has authorized the mobilization of the military to restore order and security, AP reports.

President Guillermo Lasso declared a state of emergency Tuesday that encompasses all of the country's prisons and ordered the deployment of 2,700 soldiers and police officers to regain control of the prison facilities.

This measure comes after violent clashes erupted at the nation's largest prison on Saturday and extended into the early hours of Sunday, with reports of gunshots and explosions reaching nearby residential areas.

Less than 24 hours before the prison-related state of emergency, President Guillermo Lasso had already announced emergency measures in two provinces.

This included suspending people's rights to assembly and freedom of movement in one province that experienced the tragic shooting of a mayor over the weekend.

Ecuador Deploys Police to Rescue Jail Guards

A large-scale security operation was deployed in an Ecuador prison to free dozens of jail guards who were taken hostage by inmates, per BBC.

The situation escalated after a fight between rival gangs at Guayas prison in the port city of Guayaquil triggered violence and unrest.

According to Juan Zapata, the country's interior minister, the security forces have "taken control of the jails," but he did not provide specific information about the status of the hostages' release.

Thousands of police officers have been deployed to manage the violence in Guayas prison and other penitentiaries affected by the unrest.

In at least five prisons, jail guards were being held against their will, as confirmed by the Ecuador prison service, Snai.

The exact number of hostages has not been disclosed, but the governor of Azuay province, Consuelo Orellana, stated that 53 guards were being held in Turi jail in Cuenca alone.

Despite the tense situation, the Ecuador prison service has assured that the hostages are in good condition, and every effort is being made to secure their release safely.

Ecuador government has reported that approximately 120 prison officers who were previously taken hostage in six different jails have been freed, according to Reuters.

However, no official information is available regarding the alleged hunger strikes that were said to be taking place at some of the prisons affected by the recent surge of violence.

The timing of this prison violence is significant, as it coincides with the campaigning period for the upcoming presidential elections scheduled for August 20.

Ecuador Prison System Draws Concern from Human Rights Groups

Ecuador prison system conditions have been a longstanding concern for human rights groups.

Litoral prison has been a focal concern due to its overcrowded conditions. Although the facility is designed to hold 9,500 inmates, it has been accommodating around 3,000 more than its capacity during the first quarter of the current year, Al Jazeera noted.

Notoriously known as the most dangerous detention facility in Ecuador, Litoral prison has witnessed violent clashes between rival gangs, resulting in the tragic deaths of 119 incarcerated individuals in 2021.

President Guillermo Lasso's administration has faced the challenge of addressing the persistent violence within the prison system. In response, he has frequently declared several state of emergency to deal with the ongoing issue.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

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