Machala, Ecuador – November 10, 2025 – At least 31 inmates were killed in a violent prison riot at Machala prison in El Oro province, southern Ecuador, officials confirmed. The deadly unrest, which involved gunfire, explosions, and hanging deaths, has raised serious concerns over the country’s chronic prison violence and security failures.

Details of the Machala Prison Riot

According to Ecuador’s SNAI prison authority, 27 of the deceased were found hanged, while four others died amid the riot itself. In addition to the fatalities, 33 inmates and one police officer were injured during the chaos.

The incident began at approximately 3:00 AM local time (08:00 GMT). Residents reported hearing gunshots, loud explosions, and cries for help as the violence unfolded. Elite police units quickly entered the prison to regain control, though authorities continue to investigate the exact circumstances of the riot.

Context: Overcrowding and Gang Violence

Ecuador’s prison system is widely regarded as one of the most dangerous in Latin America, plagued by overcrowding, corruption, and weak oversight. Gangs with links to drug traffickers in Colombia and Mexico have exploited these conditions to expand their influence within prisons.

The Machala prison riot occurred less than two months after 14 inmates were killed in another outbreak of violence at the same facility. Just days later, a separate riot in Esmeraldas, near the Colombian border, left 17 people dead, highlighting the ongoing instability in Ecuador’s correctional system.

Possible Triggers and Government Response

Authorities believe the latest riot may have erupted amid preparations to transfer inmates to a new maximum-security prison, recently built by President Daniel Noboa’s administration. The new facility, set to open this month, aims to house high-risk prisoners in a more controlled environment.

President Noboa’s government has pledged to crack down on gang violence and assert stronger state control over the country’s prisons. Since 2021, more than 500 people have died in Ecuadorian prison riots, and in previous incidents, coordinated uprisings even led to prison guards being taken hostage.

The SNAI authority has deployed forensic medical teams to clarify the facts and verify identities of the deceased. While the causes of the Machala riot are still under investigation, officials have pointed to rival gang conflicts for dominance and territorial control as the primary driver of violence.

Regional Implications and Ongoing Concerns

Ecuador’s repeated prison unrest underscores systemic challenges in managing high-risk inmates and controlling organized criminal networks. Analysts warn that without comprehensive reforms, the country may continue to experience deadly prison riots, threatening both inmate safety and public security.

The Machala prison riot is the latest in a series of incidents that have drawn international attention to Latin America’s prison crisis, where overcrowding and under-resourced security measures have created fertile ground for extreme violence.