• At least 17 inmates killed in two separate riots in Ecuador's prisons this week.
• Clashes are attributed to rival drug gangs amidst escalating violence.
• Ecuador has witnessed nearly 500 inmate deaths since 2021 due to gang-related violence.

In a disturbing escalation of violence, at least 17 inmates have been killed in two separate prison riots in Ecuador this week. The latest riot occurred in Esmeraldas, a coastal city near the Colombian border, where police discovered 10 dead prisoners in cell blocks amidst clashes between rival drug gangs. This follows an earlier riot that resulted in the deaths of 14 individuals, including a guard, in a facility in Machala, according to CBS News and Al Jazeera.

The situation inside Ecuador's prisons has become increasingly dire, with prison conditions described as operational centers for organized crime. Following the violent outbreaks, family members of inmates gathered anxiously outside these facilities for news of their loved ones. Since 2021, nearly 500 inmates have been killed as gang wars have spiraled out of control, heavily influenced by rival groups like Los Choneros and Los Lobos, both linked to transnational drug trafficking operations. This was reported by CBS News, Al Jazeera, and TRT Global.

The violence in Ecuador's prisons reflects broader trends within the country, exacerbated by its geographical position between Colombia and Peru, the world's leading cocaine producers. According to government data, over 70% of global cocaine exports traverse through Ecuador's coastal ports. This vicious struggle for control among gangs culminated in Ecuador's worst prison massacre when more than 100 inmates lost their lives during a riot in 2021, underscoring the persistent and dangerous state of prison conditions. Multiple sources, including CBS News, Al Jazeera, and TRT Global, report on these harrowing facts.

In response to the surge in prison violence, President Daniel Noboa declared a state of "internal armed conflict" and temporarily placed military forces in charge of the prisons. This includes incidents where gang members have infiltrated prison systems to orchestrate violent jailbreaks. Most notably, the jailbreak of narcotics boss José Adolfo Macias, otherwise known as "Fito," led to devastating hostage situations outside the prison walls, as allies coordinated attacks. Fito was ultimately recaptured earlier this year after over a year on the run, a clear reflection of the ongoing challenges within Ecuador's penal system, covered by CBS News, Al Jazeera, and TRT Global.