The National Prisoners of Liberty Attention Service, known by its Spanish acronym SNAI, has reported a grave incident that unfolded inside the Litoral prison in Ecuador. Specifically, six individuals were confirmed dead at Pavilion 7 during a scheduled operation when authorities entered the facility to remove the bodies and secure the area. This report comes through SNAI’s official communications and independent observers who track conditions inside Ecuadorian detention centers. The deceased include individuals believed to be among the violent actors responsible for the assassination of a presidential candidate, Fernando Villavicencio, who had previously sought a transfer to a higher-security facility but was denied. The unfolding events have raised concerns about overcrowding, inmate safety, and the ability of the penal system to manage high-risk individuals within shared spaces. The situation continues to be monitored by human rights groups and local communities who stress the need for transparent investigations to determine the exact sequence of events and any contributing factors that may have led to the casualties.
SNAI reported, around 4:00 p.m. on Friday, October 6, that an incident had occurred in Pavilion 7 at the Center for the Deprivation of Liberty of Men in Guayas, noting that six people lost their lives in the incident. The agency later confirmed that police and military personnel were deployed to the area to restore order and provide security, a move described by observers as essential to prevent further violence and to safeguard the surrounding neighborhood from any spillover effects. Local residents and relatives of inmates have expressed concern about access to information and the pace of official updates, urging authorities to publish verified details about the identities, affiliations, and motives of those who died, as well as the steps being taken to assess potential violations of prison protocol during the event.
President Guillermo Lasso addressed the nation via social media, stating that he had immediately convened a meeting with the Security Cabinet to review the emergency response and verify facts. He indicated that he would return to the country promptly to oversee the situation and ensure accountability. The president emphasized that there would be no tolerance for complicity or cover-ups and that the truth would be established through a thorough investigation. In subsequent statements, government officials pledged to cooperate with independent watchdog groups and regional authorities to provide timely and accurate information to the public, stressing the importance of transparency in the aftermath of the incident. The broader context involves ongoing debates about prison reform, public safety, and the balance between security measures and human rights protections for detainees. Markers of concern include the treatment of inmates with contested or violent histories, the adequacy of staffing at Pavilion 7, and the systems in place to prevent, identify, and respond to violent incidents within the facility. News outlets and citizen organizations have called for a clear timeline of events, an account of any injuries, and a public report that outlines preventive measures now being put in place to reduce the risk of similar episodes in the future. The incident is also seen as a test of the government’s ability to manage high-profile security challenges while maintaining the rule of law and ensuring due process for everyone involved, from inmates to the officers on duty and the families of those affected.