President Daniel Noboa of Ecuador has launched an ambitious project to build a high-security prison in Santa Elena province. The “El Encuentro Prison” aims to isolate dangerous inmates and gang leaders. Noboa personally visited the construction site, demonstrating his commitment to the 54-million-dollar project spanning 37 hectares.
This initiative shares similarities with El Salvador’s approach under President Nayib Bukele, though on a smaller scale. Both leaders prioritize maximum-security prisons to combat organized crime. Ecuador’s facility will incorporate cutting-edge technology, including AI-linked video surveillance for real-time inmate monitoring.
The project responds to Ecuador’s ongoing prison crisis, with over 500 inmate deaths since 2021 due to gang violence. Noboa has taken a strong stance, declaring an “internal armed conflict” against organized crime groups in January. While echoing Bukele’s tactics, Ecuador’s approach considers its unique context.
Noboa envisions transforming detention centers from crime hubs into rehabilitation facilities. The prison’s construction is 12% complete, with an ambitious 300-day completion timeline. As the project progresses, it could have far-reaching implications for Ecuador’s approach to crime and security.
Background
Ecuador has declared a partial state of emergency to combat rising drug-related violence, affecting key provinces for 60 days. This significant effort aims to curb the growing threat from drug trafficking groups and combat organized crime.