Politics
How many people died in the Ecuador prison riots?
VARIOUS prison riots in Ecuador have claimed the lives of nearly 80 inmates.
Local authorities have now regained control of the detention centers in three different cities after days of turmoil.
Nearly 80 inmates have died in several prison riots in Ecuador[/caption]
How many people died in the Ecuador prison riots?
Nearly 80 inmates have died due to several violent riots in several prisons in Ecuador.
The agency responsible for the prisoners claimed that 37 of them died in the city of Guayaquil, 34 in the city of Cuenca, and eight in the central city of Latacunga.
Authorities have now regained control of the facilities[/caption]
What happened in the Ecuador prison riot?
Coordinated fights reportedly broke out in the maximum security wings of the detention centers as rival gangs fought for leadership.
The riots occurred after a weapons search was carried out on Monday within the centers, according to authorities.
After three days of chaos, authorities were able to take control of the situation.
The riots occurred after a weapons search was carried out on Monday within the centers, according to authorities[/caption]
Local television footage from February 22 depicted prisoners jumping from high walls and others forcing prison doors to open.
The inmates were stopped by police and the military.
Photos and videos on social media began circulating and showing alleged inmates who had been decapitated and dismembered surrounded by pools of blood.
The maximum security area of the prison houses inmates linked to killings, drug trafficking, extortion and other crimes.
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President Lenín Moreno declared the national prison system in a state of emergency and ordered further security measures.
Moreno tweeted: “As a result of the violent riots carried out today among gangs in three of the country’s prisons, I have ordered (the Ministry of Defense) to exercise strict gun, ammunition and explosives control in the surrounding areas of correctional facilities.”
Similarly, a riot in December of 2020 involving multiple detention centers claimed the lives of nearly 11 inmates due to confrontations among inmates.
