A violent uprising at a prison in Machala, Ecuador, resulted in the deaths of at least 31 inmates and left around 30 others injured. The unrest occurred as authorities prepared to transfer inmates to a new maximum-security facility, according to the Ecuadorian prison oversight agency.
The riot erupted on March 3, 2024, and initial reports indicated that four inmates had died. However, subsequent updates revealed the true extent of the tragedy, with 27 inmates succumbing to asphyxiation and four others dying from unspecified causes. The agency has confirmed that one police officer sustained injuries during the incident.
Reports indicate that the unrest stemmed from plans to reorganize inmates, a move that has sparked tensions within the facility. This incident follows a similar riot less than two months prior, which resulted in the deaths of 14 inmates and was attributed to disputes among rival gangs.
Ecuador’s prison system has gained notoriety for its high levels of violence, making it one of the most dangerous in Latin America. Overcrowding, corruption, and inadequate control have allowed criminal gangs, often tied to drug trafficking networks from Colombia and Mexico, to operate with relative impunity.
Inmates are frequently armed with weapons smuggled into the facilities, allowing them to maintain control over various criminal activities while incarcerated. Since 2021, over 500 individuals have died in prison-related violence across the country.
Last year, a series of coordinated riots led to 150 prison guards being taken hostage, underscoring the escalating crisis within Ecuadorian prisons. Authorities attribute these violent outbreaks to ongoing power struggles between criminal gangs competing for control of the facilities as well as for dominance over drug trafficking routes and distribution territories within the country.
As Ecuador grapples with this ongoing crisis, the need for comprehensive prison reform and enhanced security measures is becoming increasingly urgent. The government faces significant challenges in restoring order and ensuring the safety of inmates and staff alike.
