Members of the Army stands guard in a street at the Ciudadela del Ejercito zone in southern Quito, on January 13, 2024, as Ecuador is in a "state of emergency" since the prison escape of one of the country's most powerful narco bosses. Since the escape almost a week ago of the feared leader of the Choneros gang Adolfo Macias, alias "Fito," Ecuador -- which has become a hub for drug trafficking in recent years -- is experiencing an unprecedented security crisis and the gangs, which number some 20,000 members, have gone on a spree of violence, spreading terror in response to the government crackdown on organized crime. (Photo by STRINGER / AFP) STRINGER / AFP
The 24 guards and 17 administrative employees "were released," the SNAI prisons authority said without providing details, while 133 guards and three employees continue to be held hostage.
The guards and prison workers were taken hostage after President Daniel Noboa announced on Monday a military takedown of criminal groups, sparking a deadly confrontation with narco gangs in the South American nation.
The last 24 hours have seen new violence in Ecuador's prisons, with one guard killed and another wounded, SNAI said.
There were "armed clashes" at the Machala prison in the southwest, while the army and police raided detention centers in six cities to "restore order and normality."
At least five inmates escaped Friday evening from the vast Guayaquil prison complex, with two of them caught shortly afterward during a search operation, police sources said.
