Large-scale Riot in Ecuador Prison... "Over 60 Dead"

Power Struggle Between Violent Organizations Causes Conflict
Government Deploys 800 Armed Police Officers

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] A tragedy occurred in which at least 60 people died due to power struggles between violent gangs at three major prisons in South America’s Ecuador.

According to the New York Times (NYT) and others on the 23rd (local time), riots broke out in three prisons located in Cuenca in southern Ecuador, Guayaquil on the Pacific coast, and Latacunga in the central region, resulting in the deaths of 62 inmates and injuries to several others. Edmundo Moncayo, head of Ecuador’s correctional authorities, stated that 33 inmates died in Cuenca prison, 21 in Guayaquil, and 8 in Latacunga.

After the riots, the government deployed 800 armed police officers to these prisons.

According to government officials, the violent incident occurred after two rival gangs conspired in advance to fight for the position of leader within the prisons.

The NYT reported, "Many bodies were found with cuts from weapons, and the prison floors were soaked in blood."

Ricardo Camacho, a former prison warden, said, "I never dreamed such an incident would happen in our country," adding, "It is truly shocking."

President Len?n Moreno of Ecuador ordered the Ministry of Defense to strictly control weapons, ammunition, and explosives around the prisons in connection with this incident.

Ecuador’s prisons, where the actual number of inmates far exceeds capacity, have frequently experienced riots in the past, causing ongoing problems. In particular, it is known that the government’s budget cuts for prisons due to financial shortages have further weakened the ability to respond to riots.

In December last year, a fight between criminal gang members inside a prison resulted in 11 deaths and 7 injuries, with a total of 51 inmates dying.

The NYT stated, "Ecuador’s prison violence problem involves multiple factors," and emphasized, "The chronic budget shortage issue of the Ecuadorian government must be resolved."

Meanwhile, Ecuador is adjacent to Peru and Colombia, the world’s largest cocaine producers, and is known to have ongoing drug-related crimes. In particular, there are claims that as the Colombian government has strengthened crackdowns on drug distribution in recent years, drug organizations have shifted their activities to Ecuador.