Ecuador is moving forward with the construction of high-security prisons amid the ongoing fight against organized crime

“Construction of the new high-security ‘El Encuentro Prison’ in Ecuador’s Santa Elena, near the city of Guayaquil, is progressing as the government strives to isolate dangerous prisoners and gang leaders in its ongoing efforts to combat organized crime. On Friday, workers can be seen building the prison on a vast area of ​​12.2 hectares, using various construction equipment. Armed soldiers have been stationed around the site to ensure security during construction, said Luis Eduardo Zaldumbide, the head of the National Service for Attention to People Deprived of their Liberty. Construction is currently approximately 30% complete. “At the moment, the original contract for the project is 52,157,764.15 (USD) and the contractual period is 300 days. This is unprecedented; You can see the progress of the work,” he noted. However, the project has encountered financial difficulties due to payment delays for crucial components, such as security towers, which will only be compensated upon completion. Once the prison is operational, it is expected to house drug traffickers and other violent offenders, adding to the strategy of the government to alleviate overcrowding in Ecuador’s prisons, amid ongoing campaigns against gang violence. The operation is part of the state of emergency declared last month by President Daniel Noboa, which imposes a curfew in several cities on September 3 the state of emergency was extended until September 29 in response to major operations by organized crime groups, according to local media. In January, President Daniel Noboa declared an “internal armed conflict” against 22 criminal gangs and imposed a state of emergency. , with the army deployed throughout the country. The crackdown comes ahead of the 2025 Ecuadorian general elections.”