Ecuadorian President Lasso issued a statement on the afternoon of the 13th local time, condemning the new round of riots in the Guayaquil Riviera Prison and accusing the prison of improper management and lack of order.
He also expressed sympathy to the families of the victims.
Lasso also met with officials from the Guayaquil Government Security Committee and the 9/11 Public Security Emergency Command Center on the same day, urging all forces within the constitution to restore prison order, crack down on various criminal organizations, and protect people’s personal and property safety.
According to information released by the Guayaquil Prosecutor's Office, the death toll has risen to 68 in the prison riots that occurred from the evening of the 12th to the early morning of the 13th, and another 25 were injured.
According to the police, the situation in the prison was basically under control. During the operation, the police also seized some guns and explosives.
As the cleanup of the accident site progresses, the number of casualties may rise further.
After the riots, many relatives of prison detainees have rushed outside the prison, waiting for further news.
Residents near the prison said that intensive gunfire could still be heard in the prison late at night on the 12th, and the police sent a helicopter to patrol the sky near the prison all night.
There was a serious riot in this prison at the end of September that killed more than 100 people and injured dozens of others.
Ecuador’s President Russo signed an executive order on the afternoon of September 29, calling for a 60-day state of emergency in the national prison system from now on.
In a state of emergency, the Ecuadorian national police and armed forces are stationed in prisons to strengthen management and maintain order, and to protect the security of the prison, surrounding areas and roads.
(Headquarters reporter Gao Xue)