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Warning of possible epidemic in Ecuador’s largest prison

Quito, Jan 16 (Prensa Latina) The Permanent Committee for the Defense of Human Rights in Ecuador warned today of a possible epidemic of tuberculosis in the Penitenciaría del Litoral, the largest prison in the country, where they estimate that around 500 inmates are ill.

“Sanitary conditions have worsened since the military intervention”, lawyer Fernando Bastias, member of the organization, said, quoted by local radio station Radio Pichincha.

After visits to the detention center, he explained that in only one ward there are 400 detainees with confirmed tuberculosis and in a second, supposedly containment area, there are inmates with symptoms.

According to Bastias, the situation is aggravated because they live in unhygienic conditions and get inadequate food.

“When we entered the stench was strong, not only because of the lack of hygiene of the prisoners, but also because they have no water, no light. The food is served in jars that are not washed for months,” the social activist said.

He remarked that without conditions for tuberculosis to be cured, it is a possible epidemic.

Concerning the military presence in that prison, where two violent events took place in 2024, he mentioned the possibility that the Armed Forces are already contaminated by organized crime.

jav/jha/avr

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