“We will Not Negotiate with Terrorists.” Daniel Noboa declares a State of Emergency for Military Intervention in Prisons.
The measure includes the declaration of a curfew from 23:00 to 05:00 for 60 days.
Without commenting on the alleged escape of Adolfo M., alias Fito, leader of Los Choneros, President Daniel Noboa announced that he has declared a state of emergency to allow the military and police forces to intervene in the control of prisons nationwide, as reported by El Universo.
The measure includes the declaration of a curfew from 23:00 to 05:00 for 60 days. “We will not negotiate with terrorists, and we will not rest until we restore peace to the Ecuadorians,” stated the president in a video lasting just over a minute.
Ante la situación de seguridad que vive el país, el presidente @DanielNoboaOk toma acciones concretas para respaldar a las Fuerzas Armadas durante el proceso de intervención y control de cárceles.#ElNuevoEcuador pic.twitter.com/SUCR5aEFZl
— Presidencia Ecuador ?? (@Presidencia_Ec) January 8, 2024
Noboa said that what is happening in the country’s prisons is the result of the decision to confront criminal groups, and the government is taking actions to regain control of prisons, putting an end to the time when prisons dictated to the government what to do.
“These narcoterrorist groups intend to intimidate us and believe that we will yield to their demands. I have given clear and precise instructions to military and police commanders to intervene in the control of prisons,” he emphasized, stating that Decree 110, signed on this Monday, January 8, provides full political and legal support to the Armed Forces.
Noboa called on the public to support the actions of the uniformed personnel and said that the country’s current situation is evidence that there must be changes in laws that are insufficient. The president stated that there is no room for politicians seeking to gain credit at the expense of a prison crisis.
On the morning of this Monday, January 8, there was reported an attempted uprising in El Inca prison, located in the north of Quito.
In other prisons, it is known that guides are being held hostage by inmates. This measure would have been taken in rejection of a possible transfer of leaders of organized crime gangs.
Meanwhile, in Turi prison in Cuenca, some inmates climbed onto the rooftops, apparently to destroy cameras and demand that no transfers be carried out from that penitentiary to others.
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