Since gang-instigated jail riots in early January caused turmoil throughout the nation, 4,680 people have been imprisoned by Ecuador’s police and military forces, according to the country’s police.
Jerrymusa.com reports that the police posted on X (formerly Twitter) that “a total of 4,680 people have been detained, including 237 terrorist suspects.” Approximately 57,000 law enforcement officers participated in operations to combat crime.
Seized items included over 1,500 weapons, over 8,300 explosive devices, and over 40 tons of drugs. More than two hundred law enforcement and prison officers were freed from custody.
Gangs Clash in Severe Riot
After Jose Adolfo Macias Villamar, also known as “Fito,” the leader of the Los Choneros drug gang, broke out of jail on January 7 and incited riots in other prisons across the nation, the security situation in the nation rapidly worsened.
Daniel, the president of Ecuador On January 8, Noboa issued a curfew and declared a state of emergency spanning the entire country.
In 160 of the 221 cantons in the nation, the curfew was later lifted.