Crime-torn Ecuador to build two maximum security prisons: president

Ecuador's new President Daniel Noboa announced on Thursday that the construction of two new maximum security prisons in the country, where violence linked to drug trafficking and gang wars has exploded in recent years.

He said that the two new jails will be built in the Amazon province of Pastaza, and in Santa Elena on the Pacific coast, with construction starting on January 11. He added the buildings would be exactly the same as a prison built by El Salvador President Nayib Bukele, who has led a controversial crackdown on gangs in his Central American country.

Noboa said the sites had been chosen as they were far away from the most violence-ridden parts of the country, where drug-related gang violence has led to brutal prison massacres.