Ecuador sent 3,600 soldiers and police to prisons to “ensure safety”

Ecuador has deployed 3,600 military and police throughout the prison system to “ensure the safety” of these establishments., announced Friday the Minister of the Government (Interior), Alexandra Vela, after a riot of prisoners which left 118 dead.

“The government maintains 3,600 members of the national police and armed forces mobilized continuously, daily in all prisons in Ecuador “the official said at a press conference in Quito, adding that the operation is to “guarantee security” in the prisons.

President’s administration Guillermo Lasso, who took office last May, made the decision after the revolt in a prison in the port of Guayaquil (in the southwest of the country) on Tuesday, which left at least 118 dead., including six beheaded, and 86 wounded.

In this prison, with a population of 8,500 people and overpopulation reaching 60% according to official figures, a clash with guns broke out Come in rival gangs linked to international drug trafficking are vying for power.

During the joint press conference with Vela in the government house, the director of prisons, Bolívar Garzón, in turn, said Ecuador plans to grant pardon to some 2,000 detainees over 65 with illnesses or disabilities.

The measurement indicates decongest the prison system in Ecuador, with a capacity of 30,000 people and which for several years has been facing a30% risk of overcrowding, lack of guards, budget cuts, corruption and war between gangs linked to Mexican and Colombian drug trafficking.

For its part, Vela explained that “the pardon can be granted by two instances of Ecuadorian institutions: the President of the Republic or the National Assembly”. It was also decided to “manage the process of repatriation of foreigners“, A case in which he clarified that at present” 82 cases “are being processed.

The announcements come as the government severely criticizes the situation in the country’s prisons, with overcrowding levels of 62% in Litoral prison in Guayaquil, where the events took place that claimed the lives of 118 inmates.

Regarding this prison, which last year was the epicenter of bloody gang brawls linked to drug trafficking, he said the The SNAI will “focus on full control” of it, and “include among the security measures the cargo scanner to prevent the smuggling of weapons”.

Also, The penitentiary complex will be rehabilitated and the detainees will be distributed in different pavilions to avoid acts of violence.

Vela also announced, as part of a coordinated action with the municipality of Guayaquil, that it delivery of funeral niches to families and they will be offered “support” through the Ministries of Health and Social Inclusion.

(With information from AFP and EFE)

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