At least 67 killed in gang violence in Ecuador’s prisons | Currently

The violence in the prisons of Ecuador, South America, killed dozens of people. At least 67 detainees were killed in riots in three prisons across the country, according to authorities.

The government said the criminal organizations would have struck several places simultaneously in concerted action. These prisons are located in the cities of Guayaquil, Cuenca and Latacunga.

The background to the outbreak of violence is not yet known, but there have been previous disturbances in prisons due to clashes between rival gangs. The police sent reinforcements to bring the situation under control.

Firearms, machetes, knives and cell phones were found in a prison. In response to the bloody violence, the President of Ecuador ordered the military to strictly control the smuggling of weapons, ammunition and explosives into prisons.

At least 38 people were killed in violence between rival gangs in Al-Turi prison in Cuenca.

More frequent gang violence

Last December, 11 people were also killed in violence between rival gangs in Ecuadorian prisons. The country has about 38 thousand prisoners compared to 17 million.

Relatives of prisoners gathered outside the compounds to find out more about their loved ones. The bodies of the victims are being transferred to the Forensic Medical Center for autopsy and identification.