:quality(85)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/infobae/Y2LA47M3QUCPZLERBXBODAZNGQ.jpg "The director of a prison in Ecuador was murdered, while voting to toughen the fight against violence and insecurity")
The director of a prison in Ecuador was murdered on Sunday, adding to the increasing violence in the country. Cosme Parrales, the director of the El Rodeo prison in Portoviejo, was shot by alleged hitmen while having lunch in a cevicheria in Jipijapa. This marks the third murder of an authority figure in Ecuador in just five days.
This incident occurred on a voting day for a national referendum called by President Daniel Noboa to address issues such as organized crime, attracting investments, and job creation. The murder of Parrales disrupted the otherwise peaceful voting day, which saw heavy rains causing disruptions in some areas.
The management and security of prisons are a critical part of the referendum, with one question proposing that the Armed Forces take control of access to prisons to combat the violence and crime crisis plaguing the country. The militarization of prisons is aimed at combating criminal gangs who have been responsible for arming themselves inside the facilities, leading to deadly conflicts and massacres.
Despite the violence, over 13.6 million Ecuadorians are participating in the referendum to decide on various issues related to security, corruption, and job creation. President Noboa, who took office in November, is seeking to address the country’s security challenges and usher in reforms to combat the rampant violence and organized crime fueled by drug trafficking.
The outcome of the referendum will shape the future of Ecuador as it battles with the increasing violence and instability caused by criminal groups. The president emphasized the importance of citizen participation in shaping the country’s future and tackling the pressing issues faced by the nation.