A deadly riot erupted early Sunday at a prison in Machala, southwest Ecuador, leaving at least 31 inmates dead and dozens injured, according to the national prisons agency, SNAI. The violence, which began around 3:00 a.m., involved gunfire, explosions, and chaos inside the facility. While four prisoners were initially reported killed, authorities later discovered 27 more deaths caused by asphyxiation or hanging. One police officer and 33 inmates were also injured.

Elite tactical units regained control, but investigators are still working to clarify the circumstances. Officials have not confirmed whether rival gangs were involved, though recent reorganizations within the prison system often trigger turf clashes.

Ecuador’s prisons have increasingly become strongholds for dangerous drug-trafficking gangs. Since 2021, over 500 inmates have been killed in gang-related prison conflicts. The Machala facility has seen repeated outbreaks of violence, including a September riot that killed 14 prisoners and another recent riot in Esmeraldas that left 17 dead.

Ecuador’s strategic location between Peru and Colombia has made it a major cocaine trafficking hub, contributing to escalating violence nationwide. Prison massacres, bombings, and armed attacks are now frequent, with families often forced to check morgues for loved ones after outbreaks.

The recent Machala riot underscores the growing problem: the country’s penitentiary system has transformed into a battleground for criminal networks, reflecting broader narco-violence engulfing Ecuador. Authorities continue to investigate the massacre while facing the ongoing challenge of restoring control and security in the nation’s prisons.