At least 12 inmates were killed in an Ecuadorian jail after clashes broke out between gangs, as per media reports citing officials. The latest deadly violence amid a spate of incidents occurred on Friday (April 14), said the prosecutor’s office on Saturday, in the city of Guayaquil’s prison known as La Penitenciaría or Litoral Penitentiary, which is said to be the most dangerous one in the country.&nbsp;

What happened?

“An investigation has been opened to identify those responsible for the death of 12 inmates from the Litoral Penitentiary in Guayaquil,” said the prosecutor’s office, on Twitter, a day after the clashes broke out.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ecuador-nine-dead-in-gang-related-shooting-near-colombian-border-581504">Ecuador: Nine dead in gang-related shooting near Colombian border</a>

Similarly, the SNAI prison agency told reporters that it was “through the use of technology, it was established (that) 12 people died,” adding that the prosecutor’s office and the police are in the prison for the identification of the bodies, reported Reuters.&nbsp;

The recent spate of violence in the prison

This comes after six detainees were found hanged, on Wednesday, in the same prison, in a city which has reportedly been plagued by violence linked to drug trafficking. The next day, at least three prison guards were killed outside the penitentiary complex. This was followed by Friday where in a separate incident, at least three prisoners were injured in gun battles at the Litoral Penitentiary.&nbsp;

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Ecuador plagued by prison riots

The South American country has been witnessing a rise in such incidents which have led to the deaths of hundreds of inmates, while the government has attributed to clashes between drug gangs fighting for territory and control. However, a United Nations delegation, last year, found that the violence in Ecuadorian prisons is due to years of neglect by the state of the penitentiary system, reported Reuters.

Since early 2021, more than 400 prisoners have been killed, most of which were found dismembered and burned while at least eight massacres have been recorded in these prisons. This comes as the country’s port city has also become the epicentre of drug trafficking in Ecuador which is also a transit point for cocaine moving to Europe and the United States.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cocaine-to-concrete-ecuador-finds-an-innovative-way-to-utilise-surplus-of-seized-illicit-drug-563271">Cocaine to concrete: Ecuador finds an innovative way to utilise surplus of seized illicit drug</a>

Meanwhile, Ecuador’s President Guillermo Lasso, who is currently facing impeachment hearings on corruption charges, has reportedly failed to address the growing violence in the country. Earlier this month, the government amended a decree which would allow citizens to use firearms and pepper spray, in light of the growing violence.

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
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At least 12 inmates were killed in an Ecuadorian jail after clashes broke out between gangs, as per media reports citing officials. The latest deadly violence amid a spate of incidents occurred on Friday (April 14), said the prosecutor’s office on Saturday, in the city of Guayaquil’s prison known as La Penitenciaría or Litoral Penitentiary, which is said to be the most dangerous one in the country.

At least 12 inmates were killed in an Ecuadorian jail after clashes broke out between gangs, as per media reports citing officials. The latest deadly violence amid a spate of incidents occurred on Friday (April 14), said the prosecutor’s office on Saturday, in the city of Guayaquil’s prison known as La Penitenciaría or Litoral Penitentiary, which is said to be the most dangerous one in the country. What happened? “An investigation has been opened to identify those responsible for the death of 12 inmates from the Litoral Penitentiary in Guayaquil,” said the prosecutor’s office, on Twitter, a day after the clashes broke out. ALSO READ | Ecuador: Nine dead in gang-related shooting near Colombian border Similarly, the SNAI prison agency told reporters that it was “through the use of technology, it was established (that) 12 people died,” adding that the prosecutor’s office and the police are in the prison for the identification of the bodies, reported Reuters. The recent spate of violence in the prison This comes after six detainees were found hanged, on Wednesday, in the same prison, in a city which has reportedly been plagued by violence linked to drug trafficking. The next day, at least three prison guards were killed outside the penitentiary complex. This was followed by Friday where in a separate incident, at least three prisoners were injured in gun battles at the Litoral Penitentiary. ALSO READ | One of five bomb-laden letters targeting journalists in Ecuador goes off, none injured Ecuador plagued by prison riots The South American country has been witnessing a rise in such incidents which have led to the deaths of hundreds of inmates, while the government has attributed to clashes between drug gangs fighting for territory and control. However, a United Nations delegation, last year, found that the violence in Ecuadorian prisons is due to years of neglect by the state of the penitentiary system, reported Reuters. Since early 2021, more than 400 prisoners have been killed, most of which were found dismembered and burned while at least eight massacres have been recorded in these prisons. This comes as the country’s port city has also become the epicentre of drug trafficking in Ecuador which is also a transit point for cocaine moving to Europe and the United States. ALSO READ | Cocaine to concrete: Ecuador finds an innovative way to utilise surplus of seized illicit drug Meanwhile, Ecuador’s President Guillermo Lasso, who is currently facing impeachment hearings on corruption charges, has reportedly failed to address the growing violence in the country. Earlier this month, the government amended a decree which would allow citizens to use firearms and pepper spray, in light of the growing violence. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

At least 12 inmates were killed after gang clashes in Ecuador prison

To decongest overcrowding in jails, Ecuadoran President Guillermo Lasso on Monday granted pardon to prisoners with serious illnesses and those jailed for minor traffic violations.

The pardons have been granted to seriously or terminally ill prisoners and those involved in traffic offences that did not cause any casualty, the communications ministry said in a statement, without specifying how many would be released.

The move by the government follows growing incidents of prison violence in the country. Ecuador's prisons have been the scene of several massacres including a September riot — one of the worst in Latin American history —that left 119 inmates dead.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ecuador-prison-violence-leaves-nearly-68-dead-a-dozen-injured-429101">Ecuador prison violence leaves nearly 68 dead, a dozen injured</a>

On November 14, at least 68 prisoners were killed during a fight between rival gangs at a prison in the Guayaquil city, with inmates attacking each other with guns, machetes and explosives.

On September 28, prisoners from one wing of the prison crawled through a hole to gain access to a different wing, where they attacked rival gang members. Hundreds of officers and army soldiers were deployed to regain control of the complex.

Also read |&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ecuador-prison-riots-death-toll-crosses-100-416995">Ecuador prison riots: Death toll crosses 100</a>

The deadly fight, which saw some inmates decapitated, drew attention to the growing influence in Ecuador of transnational crime gangs such as the Mexico-based Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation cartels.

Nearly 300 inmates have died so far this year in the country's prisons, and September's gang-related violence was the worst in Ecuador's history.

In the Latin American country, there are over 65 prisons housing inmates more than their capacity. These jails have the capacity for 30,000 people, but around 39,000 inmates have been placed, including 15,000 who have not been sentenced.

(With inputs from agencies)

To decongest overcrowding in jails, Ecuadoran President Guillermo Lasso on Monday granted pardon to prisoners with serious illnesses and those jailed for minor traffic violations.

To decongest overcrowding in jails, Ecuadoran President Guillermo Lasso on Monday granted pardon to prisoners with serious illnesses and those jailed for minor traffic violations. The pardons have been granted to seriously or terminally ill prisoners and those involved in traffic offences that did not cause any casualty, the communications ministry said in a statement, without specifying how many would be released. The move by the government follows growing incidents of prison violence in the country. Ecuador's prisons have been the scene of several massacres including a September riot — one of the worst in Latin American history —that left 119 inmates dead. Also read | Ecuador prison violence leaves nearly 68 dead, a dozen injured On November 14, at least 68 prisoners were killed during a fight between rival gangs at a prison in the Guayaquil city, with inmates attacking each other with guns, machetes and explosives. On September 28, prisoners from one wing of the prison crawled through a hole to gain access to a different wing, where they attacked rival gang members. Hundreds of officers and army soldiers were deployed to regain control of the complex. Also read | Ecuador prison riots: Death toll crosses 100 The deadly fight, which saw some inmates decapitated, drew attention to the growing influence in Ecuador of transnational crime gangs such as the Mexico-based Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation cartels. Nearly 300 inmates have died so far this year in the country's prisons, and September's gang-related violence was the worst in Ecuador's history. In the Latin American country, there are over 65 prisons housing inmates more than their capacity. These jails have the capacity for 30,000 people, but around 39,000 inmates have been placed, including 15,000 who have not been sentenced. (With inputs from agencies)

Ecuador President pardons some inmates to decongest jails after violence

At least 68 prisoners have been killed more than 2 dozen injured in new fighting at an Ecuadorean prison. According to the govt officials, the disturbance was set off by a power vacuum following a gang leader's release.

Ecuador: At least 68 people dead in ghastly prison clash

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At least 12 inmates were killed after gang clashes in Ecuador prison

Ecuador President pardons some inmates to decongest jails after violence

Ecuador: At least 68 people dead in ghastly prison clash