By Laura Gamba
BOGOTA, Colombia (AA) - The number of prison officers held hostage in simultaneous riots at seven prisons in Ecuador increased Thursday to 178 after the crisis expanded to other prisons, the nation’s prison agency, SNAI, said in a statement.
There are 158 prison guards and 20 administrative officials detained in Machala, Loja, Cuenca and Azogues, Latacunga, Ambato and Esmeraldas, according to SNAI.
Although authorities reported 139 detainees Wednesday, including 125 guards and 14 administrative officials, early Thursday the prisons in Machala and Esmeraldas joined the riots, which increased the number.
In Esmeraldas, located near the border with Colombia, prisoners fired from inside the prison at Armed Forces personnel who were outside and responded to control the situation.
SNAI said it is continuing to work to restore order in the prisons.
Thirty-two prisoners escaped Tuesday from the Riobamba prison, including Fabricio Colon Pico, leader of the Los Lobos criminal gang, who was arrested days ago.
Before Pico’s escape, Jose Adolfo Macías 'Fito,’ one of the country’s most dangerous gang leaders, escaped from the Guayaquil Regional Prison during the weekend before authorities could transfer him to a maximum security facility.
After Macias disappeared from his cell, President Daniel Noboa declared a 60-day state of emergency Monday that triggered riots in at least six correctional facilities across the country.
The riots are part of violent acts carried out this week by organized crime gangs in Ecuador, which also included kidnappings at a university, attacks against police officers, burning vehicles and the armed assault on a television station in Guayaquil.
Since the president declared the state of emergency, more than 80 people have been captured for alleged links to terror acts or other criminal activities.