Officials are questioning whether the latest prison riot in Ecuador was purely spontaneous or if internal collusion played a role.
Some sources suggest rival gangs may have exploited security weaknesses, raising concerns about lapses in oversight that contributed to the extreme scale of the violence.
Deadly Riot at Machala Prison
A violent riot at a prison in southwest Ecuador on Sunday left at least 31 inmates dead, the country’s National Service for Comprehensive Attention to Persons Deprived of Liberty (SNAI) confirmed.
27 deaths were reportedly from asphyxiation, with prisoners hanging inside their cells.
Earlier reports had indicated four inmates killed during the initial outbreak.
The riot occurred around 3:00 a.m. (0800 GMT), with local residents reporting gunfire, explosions, and cries for help.
Elite police units quickly regained control, though SNAI has not disclosed the identities of the deceased or confirmed whether inter-gang conflict was the primary cause.
Authorities have deployed forensic teams to reconstruct the sequence of events, and investigations are ongoing.
Ecuador’s Prisons: Hubs for Gang Violence
Ecuador’s prisons have become operational centers for rival drug-trafficking gangs, with over 500 inmates killed in recent years over control of illicit trade networks. Insight Crime, a criminal research think tank, called these facilities the “epicenter” of organized crime in Ecuador.
September 2024: A similar riot at Machala prison left 14 dead and several prisoners temporarily escaped.
Esmeraldas prison riot: Another riot near the Colombian border left 17 inmates dead, with horrifying images of blood-stained and decapitated bodies circulating on social media.
Since 2021, inmates have frequently faced gruesome killings inside Ecuadorian prisons,
including dismemberment and burning. The deadliest prison massacre occurred in Guayaquil in 2021, claiming over 100 lives.
Broader Criminal Context
Prison gangs in Ecuador have demonstrated the ability to coordinate violence both inside and outside facilities, sometimes broadcasting attacks live on social media. The country’s strategic location between Peru and Colombia, the world’s largest cocaine producers, makes it a key hub for global drug trafficking. More than 70% of the world’s cocaine passes through Ecuadorian ports.
The combination of powerful criminal networks, under-resourced prisons, and growing gang influence has turned correctional facilities into de facto strongholds, escalating the risk of mass violence.
Conclusion
The Machala riot highlights the deadly consequences of Ecuador’s intertwining of organized crime and the prison system. Authorities face the dual challenge of restoring security and addressing systemic vulnerabilities that allow such extreme violence to erupt.
Families of inmates, law enforcement, and the broader public are left grappling with the human toll of a crisis that shows no signs of slowing.