A armed attack occurred on Tuesday at the Litoral Penitentiary in Guayaquil, Ecuador, leaving at least 15 inmates dead and 14 injured, according to the National Comprehensive Attention Service (SNAI) for Adult Persons Deprived of Liberty and Adolescent Offenders. This violent episode took place in the largest prison block in the country.
On Tuesday morning, serious incidents involving gunfire inside the prison were reported, prompting the intervention of security forces to restore order. The SNAI communicated that this was a delicate situation requiring a rapid response from the Security Block, comprised of the Police and Armed Forces, to regain control of the facilities and carry out a thorough search operation.
Additionally, an investigation has been started to clarify what occurred. Currently, the penitentiary is under absolute control, and a significant contingent of military and police personnel has been deployed to reinforce security and prevent future violent episodes.
The Litoral Penitentiary has been the scene of frequent confrontations between factions of organized crime linked to drug trafficking, in a struggle for control of the prison. This situation is part of a prison crisis that Ecuador has faced since February 2021, characterized by constant conflicts between rival gangs that have resulted in the deaths of more than 400 inmates in two years, according to official figures.
