According to the official, there have been several incidents in prisons this week.
Over 40 prison workers held by prisoners have been freed in Ecuador, according to the country's prison authority (SNAI), according to news agency AFP.
Among those released were 24 guards. The rest of those released were administrative officers. The authorities did not provide further details about the release. According to AFP, more than 130 prison workers are still being held hostage.
Riots have broken out in several prisons in Ecuador this week. SNAI said in a statement earlier on Saturday, according to Reuters, that there have been several incidents in prisons. The authority has not provided more detailed information about the incidents.
Videos have been circulating on social media this week that allegedly show prisoners armed with knives executing at least two guards. The videos could not be verified from independent sources, and SNAI has not commented on the videos in question.
of Ecuador president Daniel Noboa declared a national emergency and night curfew in the country on Monday due to the uncontrolled situation in prisons and drug gangs. According to Noboa, the country is at war against drug gangs.
Police and soldiers have been patrolling the streets of Ecuadorian cities since the beginning of the week. The president has declared the mobilization of the armed forces for a period of two months. At least ten people have been killed in violence linked to criminal gangs, authorities said on Tuesday. More than 800 people have been arrested since the state of emergency began on Monday.
Ecuador has long been a peaceful haven between top cocaine exporters Colombia and Peru. However, violence has increased in recent years, as gangs connected to Mexican and Colombian cartels have ended up competing with each other.
Since February 2021, more than 460 people have been killed in clashes between prisoners.
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