In response to escalating violence and criminal activities orchestrated by powerful gangs, Ecuador's security forces have conducted a large-scale operation in a major prison complex located in the port city of Guayaquil. The operation aimed to regain control of the facility and apprehend the suspected killers of a prosecutor.

Hundreds of soldiers and police officers were involved in the operation, which took place on Thursday. The crackdown was prompted by a recent jailbreak by gang boss Adolfo Macias, also known as "Fito," which further exacerbated tensions between the government and criminal organizations.

Following the raid, photographs were released by the army showing inmates in their underwear, face down and restrained in the prison courtyards. These images serve as evidence of the government's determination to restore order and authority within the prison system, which has been marred by the influence of criminal gangs.

Furthermore, in a separate development, two suspects are in custody for their alleged involvement in the shooting death of prosecutor Cesar Suarez. The prosecutor was attacked in his car while driving through the streets of Guayaquil. The incident occurred shortly after he had been leading an investigation into a gang assault on a state-owned TV studio the previous week.

Guayaquil has become a dangerous hub for cocaine trafficking from neighboring countries, transforming the city into a hotspot for criminal activities. Ecuadorian authorities have been grappling with the expanding presence of transnational cartels, utilizing the country's ports for drug shipments destined for the United States and Europe.

The recent escalation in violence prompted President Guillermo Lasso to declare a "state of war," deploying thousands of soldiers and police officers to combat the gangs, seize drugs, and confiscate weapons. Since the declaration, security forces have conducted over 23,000 operations, resulting in the arrest of 2,174 individuals, including 158 classified as "terrorism" suspects.

The surge in criminal activities has also exposed deep-rooted links between the gangs and powerful state officials, as highlighted in an ongoing investigation called "Metastasis." The investigation, launched by Attorney General Diana Salazar, aims to uncover connections between organized crime and corruption within the judicial system.

Tragically, this wave of violence has taken the lives of several prosecutors who were dedicated to fighting against organized crime and corruption. Prosecutor Cesar Suarez was the latest victim, having probed cases involving the infiltration of organized crime in the judiciary and corruption scandals tied to COVID-19 medical equipment procurement.

The Ecuadorian government remains committed to tackling the influence of criminal gangs and restoring peace and security to the country. However, experts warn that the conflict is likely to continue for a prolonged period as the gangs demonstrate their ability to inflict harm on government officials and civilians alike.

As Ecuador faces this crisis, the international community closely watches the government's efforts to dismantle the criminal networks and restore law and order within its borders.