Security elements in Ecuador
At least 12 prisoners were killed and 10 injured during gang violence in a prison, the government of Ecuador announced on Sunday, in a new episode of violence in the Andean country’s prisons.
The violence in Ecuadorean prisons, which the government says is linked to the gang struggle over drug trafficking, killed 316 people last year.
Interior Minister Patricio Carrillo told reporters that the confrontations at El Torre prison in Cuenca took place early Sunday morning.
He added that the prisoners were trying to establish their dominance inside the prison.
He explained, “There is an organization that wants to have absolute authority inside the prison, and there are some cells witnessing a rebellion.”
For months, Ecuadorean prisons have witnessed frequent violence between rival gangs fighting to control drug smuggling, according to the authorities.
It is noteworthy that Ecuadorian prisons witnessed 230 deaths this year before today’s incident.
It is noteworthy that, in September 2020, 118 prisoners were killed and about 79 others were injured, as a result of armed riots that also took place in the same prison.
Armed confrontations erupted at that time between prisoners believed to be linked to Mexican drug smuggling gangs, especially the Sinaloa Cartel and Jalisco New Generation.