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A deadly clash at Esmeraldas prison in Ecuador between Los Tiguerones and rival gangs left at least 17 dead, following recent violence in Machala prison
This riot follows an outbreak earlier this week in a prison in Machala prison in Southern Ecuador’s province of El Oro, where 14 people were killed.
A clash between rival gangs at a prison in the coastal city of Esmeraldas, Ecuador, has left at least 17 dead, police said.
CNN quoted the National Police as saying that a security operation was deployed in the central area of Esmeraldas prison and warned that the death toll could rise as the recovery of bodies continues.
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“The situation stems from an external order from Los Tiguerones organised crime group to eliminate members of Los Lobos, Los Choneros and prisoners not affiliated with Los Tiguerones,” police said.
According to an initial report, the clashes started in one of the prison’s cell blocks after an ambush in which inmates stole cell keys, enabling them to target prisoners in outer cells.
“The appropriate authorities are conducting the corresponding investigations to clarify what happened. We will provide more details soon,” Ecuador’s national prisons agency SNAI said in a statement.
This riot follows an outbreak earlier this week in a prison in Machala prison in Southern Ecuador’s province of El Oro, where 14 people were killed.
According to a report by Reuters, Ecuador has faced a wave of prison violence in recent years. Since 2021, more than 500 inmates have been killed.
Ecuador
September 26, 2025, 04:50 IST
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