So far in 2021, more than 300 murders have been reported in Ecuador’s prisons, the product of conflicts between rival gangs.
The National Government reported that the military will continue in external control of the country’s prisons, Despite the fact that this Tuesday, December 28, 2021, the state of exception in the National Social Rehabilitation System ends.
The Ministry of Government published on December 26 a document with the official statement on the matter. There it was indicated that the soldiers will also participate in the operations of control, carrying and possession of firearms, ammunition and explosives, according to the Law.
???? After an analysis of the situation of the Social Rehabilitation System and the culmination of the state of exception, the Security Cabinet decided that the @FFAAECUADOR will continue to support the @PoliceEcuador in the external perimeter of prisons
Details ???? ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/ObWXR8ozde– Ministry of Government Ecuador (@MinGobiernoEc) December 26, 2021
The members of In addition, the Armed Forces will intensify patrols on the access roads to the country’s prisons. And within the centers they will maintain the reaction forces for an “immediate action”, according to current regulations.
The Sectorial Security Cabinet, led by the Minister of Government, Alexandra Vela, last Thursday, analyzed the current situation of the prison system and the measures that will be adopted to handle the crisis in the sector, which has left more than 300 dead so far in 2021, a once the state of exception ends.
The authorities have indicated that there are conflicts between rival gangs that dispute control of the prisons. These same groups maintain control of the transport and sale of drugs abroad and in the country’s cities.