The events that started with the fight between the prisoners last Saturday in the Litoral Prison, the largest prison in the country, located in the city of Guayaquil in the South American country Ecuador, turned out of control and turned into a rebellion. 18 people lost their lives and 11 people were injured in the incidents. As the rebellion spread to other prisons in the country, at least 96 guards were taken prisoner, while many prisoners went on hunger strike.
State of Emergency Declared in Prisons
Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso signed a decree this morning after the events, declaring a state of emergency for 60 days in all prisons in the country due to serious internal turmoil.
LITORAL PRISON IS INTERVENED BY 2700 LAWN FORCES
Ecuadorian Interior Minister Juan Zapata, in a statement after the declaration of the state of emergency, stated that 2,700 people, consisting of the Ecuadorian Armed Forces and security forces, intervened in the Litoral Prison. Minister Zapata also stated that after the raid by the security forces, control in the prison was restored and the prosecutor’s staff started an investigation in the region. Minister Zapata did not share information about the guards held hostage.
In the statement made by the Ecuadorian Armed Forces, it was reported that during the operation, some short and long-barreled weapons and a large number of ammunition used by the prisoners in the prison were confiscated.
GUARDS HOLDED IN AT LEAST 5 PRISONS
In a statement made by the Ecuadorian prison service yesterday, it was stated that the guards were held against their will in at least five prisons, without giving an exact number on the number of guards held hostage, and that the health conditions of the guards held hostage were good and all facilities were mobilized to save them.
Azuay Governor Consuelo Orellana announced that 53 guards were held hostage only in the Turi Prison in the city of Cuenca.
It was stated that the prisoners belonging to the criminal gangs “Los Tiguerones” and “Los Lobos”, operating in the country, clashed in order to take control of the prison. (UAV)
