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;

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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;

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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

Nearly 68 prisoners were killed and a dozen injured in overnight violence at Ecuador's Penitenciaria del Litoral prison, the government said on Saturday, in what has been characterized as fighting between gangs.

The penitentiary, located in the southern city of Guayaquil, is the same prison where 119 inmates were killed in late September in the country's worst-ever incident of prison violence.

The government has blamed disputes between drug trafficking gangs for control of prisons for the violence.

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The latest disturbance was set off by a power vacuum following a gang leader's release, governor of Guayas province Pablo Arosemena said in a press conference.

"The context of this situation is that there was no leader of the gang that has this cell block because a few days ago that prisoner was released ... for completing 60% of his sentence," Arosemena said. "Other cell blocks with other groups wanted to subdue them, get inside and have a total massacre."

Videos on social media purportedly posted by detainees overnight showed them begging for help to stop the violence as shots and explosions sounded in the background. Reuters could not independently verify the origin of the videos.

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There has been a wave of disturbances in the South American country's prisons, which house some 39,000 detainees. Incidents in February and July at various prisons left 79 and 22 people dead respectively.

Some of those killed in September at the penitentiary were decapitated or burned, the attorney general's office has said, and dozens were injured.

A total of 11 people were found hung in Penitenciaria del Litoral in October, which authorities have said may have been suicides.

President Guillermo Lasso in September declared a 60-day state of emergency in the prison system, freeing up funding and allowing heightened controls with military assistance.

Police operations since the state of emergency was declared - especially at Penitenciaria del Litoral - have turned up guns, grenades, knives, munitions, cell phones and drugs.

Nearly 68 prisoners were killed and a dozen injured in overnight violence at Ecuador's Penitenciaria del Litoral prison, the government said on Saturday, in what has been characterized as fighting between gangs.

Nearly 68 prisoners were killed and a dozen injured in overnight violence at Ecuador's Penitenciaria del Litoral prison, the government said on Saturday, in what has been characterized as fighting between gangs. The penitentiary, located in the southern city of Guayaquil, is the same prison where 119 inmates were killed in late September in the country's worst-ever incident of prison violence. The government has blamed disputes between drug trafficking gangs for control of prisons for the violence. Also read | Philippines President Duterte's daughter to run for vice president The latest disturbance was set off by a power vacuum following a gang leader's release, governor of Guayas province Pablo Arosemena said in a press conference. "The context of this situation is that there was no leader of the gang that has this cell block because a few days ago that prisoner was released ... for completing 60% of his sentence," Arosemena said. "Other cell blocks with other groups wanted to subdue them, get inside and have a total massacre." Videos on social media purportedly posted by detainees overnight showed them begging for help to stop the violence as shots and explosions sounded in the background. Reuters could not independently verify the origin of the videos. Also read | Britain's army chief says 'accidental' war can break out between the West and Russia There has been a wave of disturbances in the South American country's prisons, which house some 39,000 detainees. Incidents in February and July at various prisons left 79 and 22 people dead respectively. Some of those killed in September at the penitentiary were decapitated or burned, the attorney general's office has said, and dozens were injured. A total of 11 people were found hung in Penitenciaria del Litoral in October, which authorities have said may have been suicides. President Guillermo Lasso in September declared a 60-day state of emergency in the prison system, freeing up funding and allowing heightened controls with military assistance. Police operations since the state of emergency was declared - especially at Penitenciaria del Litoral - have turned up guns, grenades, knives, munitions, cell phones and drugs.

Ecuador prison violence leaves nearly 68 dead, a dozen injured

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

Ecuador prison violence leaves nearly 68 dead, a dozen injured