"Ecuador Frees Prison Hostages, Declares Control After Drug Gang Conflict"
Ecuador's security forces have regained control of several prisons following a violent eruption between the government and powerful narco gangs, resulting in the release of over 200 officials held hostage. The crisis was sparked by the escape of a notorious drug lord, leading to a state of war declared by the government against 22 gangs. President Daniel Noboa deployed over 22,000 security forces to combat the violence, resulting in more than 1,300 arrests and eight "terrorists" killed. The country's murder rate quadrupled between 2018 and 2022, with plans announced to build two "super maximum" security prisons and potential "prison ships" to address the ongoing crisis.
