(ANSA) - LATACUNGA (ECUADOR), OCTOBER 04 - At least 15 prisoners are dead and another 20 injured following a riot in one of the largest prisons in Ecuador, which was the scene of deadly violence in the past.
This was made known by the prison administration of the South American country.
The National Service for general assistance to adults deprived of their liberty and adolescents who commit crimes (Snai) added that "the operations of tactical units to regain control" of the penitentiary are continuing.
According to the same source, "the armed forces provide support in the external perimeter" of the prison located on the outskirts of the southern city of Latacunga, which houses about 4,300 inmates and is one of the largest in Ecuador.
Since February 2021, the structure has been the scene of seven massacres among prisoners, which have seen the deaths of over 400 people.
The authorities have so far proved unable to stem this violence, often perpetrated with knives and marked by beheadings and other barbaric acts.
According to official estimates, the country's overcrowded prisons house around 35.
000 inmates including many members of drug gangs.
In 2021, Ecuador seized a record 210 tons of drugs, mainly cocaine.
Bordered by Colombia and Peru, the world's largest cocaine producers, Ecuador serves as a departure port for drug shipments, mainly to the United States and Europe.
Last year the country of 17.7 million inhabitants recorded a rate of 14 homicides per 100,000 people, almost double compared to 2020. In August, the government of President Guillermo Lasso launched a census of prisoners to improve the living conditions of in the face of prison overcrowding.
(HANDLE).
Bordered by Colombia and Peru, the world's largest cocaine producers, Ecuador serves as a departure port for drug shipments, mainly to the United States and Europe.
Last year the country of 17.7 million inhabitants recorded a rate of 14 homicides per 100,000 people, almost double compared to 2020. In August, the government of President Guillermo Lasso launched a census of prisoners to improve the living conditions of in the face of prison overcrowding.
(HANDLE).
Bordered by Colombia and Peru, the world's largest cocaine producers, Ecuador serves as a departure port for drug shipments, mainly to the United States and Europe.
Last year the country of 17.7 million inhabitants recorded a rate of 14 homicides per 100,000 people, almost double compared to 2020. In August, the government of President Guillermo Lasso launched a census of prisoners to improve the living conditions of in the face of prison overcrowding.
(HANDLE).
In August, the government of President Guillermo Lasso launched a census of prisoners to improve living conditions in the face of prison overcrowding.
(HANDLE).
In August, the government of President Guillermo Lasso launched a census of prisoners to improve living conditions in the face of prison overcrowding.
(HANDLE).
