The government of Ecuador responded to a recent wave of violence and the capture of nearly 180 prison staff by prisoners with military and police operations across the country on Thursday. The government has vowed to take on the crime gangs responsible for the unrest.
The surge in violence this week, which included the takeover of a TV station on live TV, unexplained explosions in multiple cities, and the abduction of police officers, is believed to be a reaction to plans by new President Daniel Noboa to address a serious security situation in the country.
Noboa, who took office in November, has promised to build new high-security prisons to house imprisoned gang leaders, among other initiatives to improve security. The details of the planned facilities are expected to be announced on Thursday.
Noboa has also declared a state of emergency for 60 days, mobilizing the military and naming 22 gangs as terrorist organizations. The president indicated that U.S. aid was anticipated in the coming days.
Ecuador’s national assembly, which often has internal disagreements, voted unanimously to support Noboa’s efforts to maintain security.
More than 158 prison guards and 20 administrative staff taken captive in at least seven prisons since Monday have not been accounted for, according to the authorities. Carlos Ordonez, vice president of the prison workers’ association, expressed concern and said that little information has been shared about their situation.
Prison guards are calling for the release of their colleagues and better working conditions. The SNAI, the prisons agency, reported disturbances in two prisons and the escape of three inmates from another facility, adding that operations to free the hostages were ongoing.
Ecuador shares borders with cocaine-producing countries like Colombia and Peru, and has become a major transit point for drug shipments. The military in Ecuador conducted raids and weapons seizures around the country following the president’s declaration of a state of emergency.
The armed forces detained 329 people, primarily from various gangs, since the state of emergency was announced. Police officers have also been the targets of kidnappings, with the number of captives unclear as of Thursday.
Streets in Quito and Guayaquil were quieter than usual, with virtual school classes and many individuals working from home. The dramatic capture of a television studio at the public broadcaster TC earlier this week was broadcast live for about 20 minutes and made headlines worldwide.
Gunmen who stormed the TV studio described themselves as part of La Firma, a gang linked to Los Choneros, one of the gangs designated as a terrorist organization by Noboa. The alleged escape of Los Choneros leader Adolfo Macias from prison over the weekend was a contributing factor to the declaration of a state of emergency.
Journalist Alina Manrique, who was among those held hostage at the TV studio, said she feared for her life and never imagined seeing her children again. She described being rescued by the police as “being reborn.”
(Reporting by Alexandra Valencia in Quito, additional reporting by Herbert Villarraga in Guayaquil; Writing by Julia Symmes Cobb; Editing by Rosalba O’Brien)
