In a series of coordinated attacks, Ecuador’s capital Quito was rocked by two car bombs and grenade explosions on Thursday, aimed at the SNAI prison authority. Fortunately, no casualties were reported, but these acts are believed to be in direct response to a recent police raid on jails.
On August 31, a riot broke out at Turi prison near Cuenca, where a number of prisoners seized 57 police and prison guards as hostages. Their motive behind this rebellion was to advocate for improved treatment of inmates. Presently, the prison is surrounded by hundreds of soldiers and police forces attempting to restore order within the facility. At the moment, no casualties have been reported.
The unrest escalated as inmates from six prisons across the country took a total of 57 prison guards and police personnel hostage after several hours of planning. This prison uprising paints a grim picture of the ongoing violence that has plagued Ecuador’s penitentiaries in recent years.
President Guillermo Lasso, determined to restore order and security, has made a solemn promise to capture dangerous criminals, dismantle criminal gangs, and bring peace to the country’s prisons.
The car bombs were detonated outside both the SNAI headquarters and a separate building that once housed SNAI offices, causing widespread damage. In addition, grenade attacks occurred in various parts of the city, further intensifying the chaos and fear among the public.
The hostages were taken from different prisons scattered throughout the country, highlighting the widespread nature of this revolt. This prison uprising adds to the troubling pattern of violence that has plagued Ecuador’s correctional facilities.
In response to these grave incidents, President Lasso has declared a state of emergency in the prisons, emphasizing the urgency to address the crisis. The government is offering a substantial reward for any information leading to the arrest of those responsible for these audacious attacks, underlining the determination to bring the perpetrators to justice.
(With inputs from agencies)
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