At least 15 people have lost their lives and 14 others have been injured following a violent altercation among inmates at Ecuador's largest prison, the Litoral Penitentiary in Guayaquil. This facility has unfortunately been a frequent site of unrest, with past incidents including a tragic event in 2021 that resulted in the deaths of 119 inmates.
Authorities have not yet disclosed specific details regarding the cause of the recent violence. However, they have confirmed that law enforcement personnel, including police and military forces, have been dispatched to regain control of the prison.
Reports from local media indicate that helicopters were observed hovering over the prison, while concerned relatives of inmates gathered outside the gates seeking information about their loved ones.
Ecuador's prison system has been plagued by a series of challenges, leading to a concerning rise in violence within correctional facilities. Issues such as overcrowding, corruption, and inadequate state oversight have created an environment where criminal gangs have been able to thrive. Many of these gangs are linked to the country's illicit drug trade and possess a significant arsenal of weapons, often smuggled into the prisons from external sources.
