Ecuador - July 2023

On 25 July a state of emergency was imposed for 60 days in Ecuador’s prisons after 31 persons deprived of their liberty were killed and more were injured during riots in the Guayas 1 prison in the city of Guayaquil. Violence reportedly broke out between rival gangs, who had also taken officers hostage, leading the government to order the military’s intervention. After the state of emergency decree was issued, violence was also reported in the province of Esmeralda, were a local prison and police unit were attacked, and prison staff taken hostage. The decree establishing the state of emergency covers the entire Social Rehabilitation System and will enable the armed forces to, in collaboration with National Police, take measures to reestablish control of all detention centres. 

Sources: Gobierno del Ecuador, Deutsche Welle, Al Jazeera