Ecuador’s president has declared a state of emergency after one of the country’s most notorious gang leaders escaped from prison, followed by a violent uprising with explosions and the kidnapping of several policemen.
Adolfo “Fito” Macias, the leader of the feared Los Choneros gang, escaped Sunday from La Regional prison in Guayaquil, where he was serving a 34-year sentence for drug trafficking, murder and organized crime.
Authorities realized he was not in his cell just hours before he was due to be transferred to a maximum-security lockup in the same port city.
Two prison guards have been charged with helping the escape – nearly 11 years after Macias was recaptured after a previous break.
The gang leader’s escape was followed by fighting among inmates at six overcrowded prisons in Ecuador, including guards taken hostage.
Adolfo “Fito” Macias, leader of the notorious Los Choneros gang, escaped from prison Sunday. Ecuadorian Armed Forces/AFP via Getty Images Ecuador’s president declared a state of emergency to deploy police and soldiers in cities and prisons. AP
At least four police officers were also kidnapped Monday night and remain missing: one in the capital, Quito, and three in the city of Quevedo.
Several cities in Ecuador were rocked by explosions, including on a pedestrian bridge in Quito and one near the home of the president of the National Court of Justice. At least two suspects were arrested in one of the attacks, but there were no immediate reports of any injuries.
Authorities have not said whether the incident was part of a planned crackdown — but the government has previously accused drug cartels of carrying out similar strikes.
President Daniel Noboa issued a 60-day state of emergency Monday “so that the Armed Forces have all political and legal support for their actions.”
“The time is over when prisoners of drug trafficking, hitmen and organized crime dictate to the government what to do,” said the leader, who only took office in November.
Police officer Alberto Gomez was kidnapped while patrolling the streets of Quito, Ecuador. A guard at a prison in Ecuador was held hostage by inmates after Macias escaped. Prison guards held hostage in Ecuador read a letter to the president pleading with him not to send troops.
The decree deployed troops on city streets and inside prisons, while imposing a national curfew from 11pm to 5am
The president, who was elected on a promise to fight terrorism, vowed on Instagram not to stop until he “brings back peace to all Ecuadorians.”
Prisoners on the roof of Turi prison, where guards are held, in Cuenca, Ecuador. AFP via Getty Images Ecuador’s president says he will not negotiate with “terrorists” amid an outbreak of violence. AP
Los Choneros is one of the Ecuadorian gangs considered responsible for an increase in violence that reached new heights last year with the assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio. So far, no one has been charged with the murder, however.
Macias previously escaped from a maximum security facility in February 2013, but was recaptured a few weeks later.
With Postal wire
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
