In the brutal power struggle between drug cartels and the government in Ecuador, 41 prison staff held hostage have been freed. As announced yesterday (local time) by the South American country's penitentiary administrative authority, 24 guards and 17 administrative staff were released. More than 130 guards and three administrative staff remained under the control of prisoners.
For about a week now, Ecuador has been facing an unprecedented wave of violence from drug cartels, whose members have terrorized the entire country with prison riots, hostage taking and attacks on police officers.
Gang Crime and Drug Trafficking Center
The trigger was the escape of José Adolfo Macias, known as “Fito”, one of the most powerful drug traffickers in the country, from the maximum security prison in the port city of Guayaquil, on Sunday last week.
President Daniel Noboa then declared a state of emergency, mobilized the army against organized crime and imposed a mandatory nighttime curfew. The gangs reacted and declared “war” on the state. At least 19 people have already been killed.
Ecuador lies between Colombia and Peru, the world's two largest cocaine producers, but has long been considered relatively peaceful and stable. In recent years, the country itself has become a hub for international drug trafficking. Since then, violent crime has risen sharply.