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Ecuador Prison Riot Death Toll Rises to 17
A prison riot in Ecuador's largest prison leaves 17 dead, highlighting the country's worsening prison and national security crisis.
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United States
Human Rights ViolationsCrimeViolenceSecurityLatin AmericaEcuadorPrison Riot
Ecuadorian Corrections AgencyEcuador’s Attorney General’s OfficeEcuadorian Military
President Daniel Noboa
- How has Ecuador's homicide rate changed in recent years?
- Ecuador's homicide rate has dramatically increased, rising from six murders per 100,000 inhabitants in 2018 to a record 47 in 2023. This surge in violence reflects the broader security challenges facing the nation.
- What is the history of violence at the Litoral Penitentiary?
- The Litoral Penitentiary, located in Guayaquil, Ecuador, is notorious for its history of violent incidents, including a 2021 riot that resulted in 119 deaths. The prison's overpopulation, corruption, and weak state control contribute to the violence.
- What is the current death toll from the prison riot in Ecuador?
- The death toll from a prison riot in Ecuador's Litoral Penitentiary has risen to 17 inmates, with 15 others injured. This incident is the deadliest prison riot under President Daniel Noboa's administration, prompting concerns about prison security in Ecuador.
- Why are Ecuador's prisons considered some of the deadliest in Latin America?
- Ecuador's prisons are considered among the deadliest in Latin America due to factors including overcrowding, corruption, and the influence of drug cartels. Over 400 deaths have resulted from prison riots in the country since 2021.
- What measures did President Noboa take in response to escalating prison violence?
- President Daniel Noboa responded to escalating prison violence by placing the most violent prisons under military control at the beginning of 2024. This action followed attacks on a TV studio and threats against civilians by armed groups.