Latam to operate Cuenca-to-Galapagos flights; At least 31 dead, 43 injured in Machala prison riot; Judges unblock bank accounts of ‘government critics’

The Ministries of Transportation and Tourism announced Sunday that final approval has been granted for flights between Cuenca and the Galapagos Islands. Latam Airlines will operate the twice-weekly flights that could begin by the end of the year.

Transportation Minister Roberto Luque said the new flights recognize the “high tourism value” of both Cuenca and the Galapagos Islands. “This connection will strengthen tourism at both destinations, generate more employment and activate the local economies for the benefit of the people,” he said, adding that the Cuenca’s rapid population growth was also a factor in approving the new route.

Machala prison inmates were searched for weapons in a Sunday lockdown following a riot that left 31 dead.

Director of Cuenca’s Mariscal La Mar Airport José Luis Aguilar, said that flight details, including ticket prices and schedules, remain to be worked out but these should be resolved within a matter of weeks.

At least 31 dead in Machala prison riot
The National Police report that at least 31 prisoners are dead following a riot at the Machala prison. Early Monday, officials said the death count could rise as police, soldiers and prison employees continue to search facilities.

The national prison authority, SNAI, announced early Sunday that four had died and 34 were injured in fights between members of the Los Lobos and Los Sao-Box, a Los Lobos splinter group. Later however, the death toll was raised to 21, 27 and then 31 as more bodies were discovered. SNAI said the deaths were the result of gunshot and knife wounds, and asphyxiation.

In an operation that lasted seven hours, 250 police and armed forces personnel regained control of the prison, SNAI said Sunday at 6 p.m. “The disturbances have been controlled in their entirely and the prison is now under lock-down status,” the agency said.

SNAI added that plans are underway to transfer a yet-to-be-determined number of Machala prisoners to a new high security prison in Santa Elena Province.

Judges unblock bank accounts of ‘government critics’
Two Quito judges have ordered that bank accounts of 19 organizations and individuals that opposed government policies be restored. In its order, the judges admonished the Financial and Economic Analysis Unit (UAFE) for ordering the accounts blocked based on “political, not criminal evidence.”

The accounts were blocked following a mass protest in Cuenca against the proposed Loma Larga gold mine and a national strike called by Conaie and other indigenous groups.

Among the accounts ordered unblocked were those belonging to the Pachamama and Ceibo Alliance foundations, the Union of People Affected by Chevron and Texaco, the anti-mining collective Pakkiru and the Cuenca Water Council.

Among individuals whose accounts were unblocked was Cuenca attorney and former presidential candidate Yaku Pérez. According to Pérez, the order to block bank accounts of government opponents came from the office of President Daniel Noboa. “UAFE is controlled by the executive, and he used this office to punish those who oppose his policies,” Pérez said. “In Cuenca, he [Noboa] was angry that the people stopped his mining plans and he took revenge.”