Tragedy struck in Ecuador as the director of the Manabi region prison, Cosme Damián Parrales Merchán, was killed in an attack on Sunday. The incident occurred on the same day that millions of Ecuadorians participated in a referendum focused on President Daniel Noboa’s efforts to combat crime.
The details surrounding Parrales’ death remain scarce, with the Ecuador Prosecutor’s Office confirming another individual was injured in the assault. An investigation has been initiated, although no arrests have been made thus far.
The National Social Rehabilitation System expressed deep sorrow over Parrales’ killing and pledged to collaborate with local authorities to uncover the truth behind the tragic event.
The referendum, dominated by security issues, featured proposals aimed at strengthening the fight against organized crime. Key measures included granting the military the authority to assist police in combating criminal activities, allowing the extradition of Ecuadorian citizens (currently prohibited by the Constitution), and imposing stricter penalties for violent offenders.
President Noboa hopes that these initiatives will help address the escalating levels of organized crime in the country, particularly those associated with drug cartels exploiting Ecuador’s strategic location as a transit point for narcotics.
Ecuador, once renowned as an “island of peace,” has witnessed a surge in violence attributed to rival criminal factions vying for control over drug trafficking routes. The murder rate, which stood at 5.8 homicides per 100,000 people in 2016, has skyrocketed to 25.6 by 2022, placing Ecuador on par with countries like Colombia and Mexico known for drug-related violence.
Noboa’s administration faced an early security crisis with the escape of notorious gang leader Adolfo Macias, triggering a nationwide state of emergency. The situation prompted urgent action to address the deteriorating security landscape in the country.
As Ecuador awaits the final results of the referendum, the nation grapples with the tragic loss of Parrales and the pressing need to confront the escalating challenges posed by organized crime.
