In recent developments in Ecuador, authorities have reported that the death toll resulting from a violent outbreak at the nation’s largest prison has climbed to 17. This incident marks one of the most brutal prison uprisings in the tenure of President Daniel Noboa and transpired just one day prior to the announcement of these figures.

In response to escalating violence within the prison system, the president decided to transfer control of the most volatile detention facilities to military oversight at the start of 2024. This decision came on the heels of shocking incidents, including a violent assault by gunmen on a television studio, and threats of random executions posed by criminal elements against civilians and law enforcement. The recent chaos in the prison is likely to influence the ongoing presidential campaign, as Noboa focuses on security enhancements in his bid for re-election.

On Wednesday, the Directorate of Ecuador’s Corrections Agency took to social media to inform the public that the riot at the Litoral Penitentiary resulted in 15 injuries. They characterized the turmoil as “serious incidents between persons deprived of liberty,” though no further details were provided. Additionally, the agency announced that visitation rights have been revoked for the time being.

Following the violence, Ecuador’s Attorney General’s office declared that nine inmates will face murder charges as a consequence of the unrest. The Litoral Penitentiary, situated in Guayaquil, has a troubling history of violent outbreaks, including a notorious riot in 2021 that resulted in 119 fatalities. Currently, it is operating well above capacity, housing around 10,000 inmates.

Ecuador’s correctional facilities have garnered a reputation for being some of the most dangerous in Latin America. Overcrowding, rampant corruption, and insufficient regulation have created an environment where gangs, often affiliated with drug trafficking organizations from Colombia and Mexico, thrive. Many of these gangs are heavily armed, utilizing smuggled weapons to conduct criminal operations from within prison walls.

Since 2021, a spate of prison riots has resulted in over 400 deaths. Earlier this year, a series of coordinated uprisings led to the hostage situations of 150 prison guards across multiple facilities.

These prison disturbances serve as a harsh reminder of Ecuador’s deteriorating security landscape. In 2023, the nation recorded an alarming homicide rate of 47 per 100,000 residents, a staggering increase from just six per 100,000 in 2018. The growing violence in penitentiaries reflects a broader trend of escalating crime throughout Ecuador.