Last massacre in jail in Ecuador, an act of terrorism?
1:50
(CNN Spanish) -
The president of Ecuador, Guillermo Lasso, renewed by decree the "state of exception" in all the country's prisons for an additional 30 days, with the aim of "controlling" and "restoring" their normal operation.
The announcement was made this Sunday through a statement from the General Secretariat of the Presidency in which it is clarified that the "decision has the purpose of protecting the rights of persons deprived of liberty as a group of priority attention, of the personnel of the prison security corps and members of the National Police ".
President Lasso pardons sick prisoners to ease prison overcrowding in Ecuador
Initially, the "state of exception" was declared in Ecuador on September 29, and although at first it was contemplated to apply for 60 days, finally the Constitutional Court ruled that it would be valid for 30 days.
The measure enables the Armed Forces and the National Police to carry out weapons controls, inspections, patrols and drug requisitions, among other actions, 24 hours a day inside the prisons of Ecuador.
Ecuador: 68 die in a new act of violence in jail 6:03
Lasso's announcement to extend the "state of exception" occurs three days after the president decreed the pardon of those inmates suffering from catastrophic or terminal illnesses through a program called "Plan Rescate Ecuador."
advertising
All these measures are taking place within the framework of a serious prison crisis that the country is experiencing: two weeks ago a riot was reported in the Litoral Penitentiary that left a balance of 62 deaths;
while, last September, another riot left 119 dead, becoming the worst massacre in Ecuador's prison history.
