1 of 1 Army on the streets of Ecuador, in a state of emergency Photo: Rodrigo BUENDIA / AFP Army on the streets of Ecuador, in a state of emergency Photo: Rodrigo BUENDIA / AFP
Since the crisis began on Monday (8), there have been kidnappings of agents working in prisons It was one of the criminals' first actionsin retaliation for the Ecuadorian government sending thousands of police officers to hunt down Adolfo Macías, known as Fito and leader of the criminal faction Los Choneros, who escaped from prison on Sunday (7).
According to a report published by the government on Thursday, 39 prison workers were kidnapped on Wednesday (10). According to the report, a total of 178 agents were in the hands of the bandits as of Thursday afternoon.
According to the authority that manages the prisons, Bandits use intense shooting and bombs to prevent special forces from entering.
TV Invasion and “Internal Armed Conflict”: Understanding the Security Crisis in Ecuador
Ecuador has been experiencing a wave of violence since Sunday that left 16 people dead. Cities such as the capital Quito and Guayaquil recorded explosions, shootings, burned cars and kidnappings of civilians, including Brazilian Thiago Allan Freitas, 38, who lives in the country.
The security crisis in Ecuador began after the escape of the leader of Los Choneros, one of the country's most feared criminal groups, from prison where he was serving a 34year sentence.
President Daniel Noboa declared a state of emergency and sent the army into the streets to fight factions and cartels.