A violent clash at Litoral Prison, the largest and most overcrowded facility in Ecuador, was reported this Friday. The exact number of inmates affected remains uncertain as authorities confirm injuries and search for a clear death toll. Early accounts describe a gun battle that erupted between rival groups operating within different prison pavilions and quickly drew attention from nearby communities. The national penitentiary service has not released an official death count yet, explaining that procedures for removing and identifying bodies must be completed before any figure is announced. Ongoing investigations are underway to establish permissible facts and verify what occurred inside the facility.
The disturbance involved inmates in blocks 3, 5, 8 and 9 and began in the early afternoon, continuing into the night while sounds of gunfire echoed beyond the walls. Eyewitnesses outside the prison reported hearing bursts of gunfire that lasted for hours. The incident occurred two days after six inmates were found dead by hanging in a separate area of the same prison, prompting a broader review of security and oversight within the facility.
Litoral Prison has long been a focal point in Ecuador for severe violence linked to gang conflicts and control struggles inside overcrowded facilities. Since 2020, the facility has witnessed multiple deadly clashes that have left hundreds of inmates dead as groups vie for influence and space within the system. Overcrowding remains a persistent problem, with some sections operating at or beyond capacity, which can heighten tensions and complicate management and safety efforts for both staff and detainees.
The outbreak of violence at the prison reflects wider dynamics that extend into the street. Organized crime groups, driven by competition over drug trafficking routes, continue to pressure security forces and complicate policing efforts along coastal ports. Ecuador’s geographic position has made it a key corridor in the flow of illegal drugs toward North America and Europe, intensifying the stakes for those involved in illicit networks. In a related incident, a triple homicide occurred near the prison grounds while guards were taking meals, underscoring the ongoing risk environment in the region and the permeable boundary between prison life and external criminal activity.