31 People Killed In Clashes, 300 High-Risk Prisoners Moved To Maximum Security Prisons In Ecuador

Prison illustration. (Unsplash/Hédi Benyounes)

JAKARTA - Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa said on Monday authorities had transferred 300 high-risk inmates to new prisons with maximum security on the coast of the country, a day after 31 inmates were killed in clashes.

The transfer to the Encuentro Prison in Santa Elena Province is part of President Noboa's plan to weaken criminal gangs operating in overcrowded Ecuadorian prisons, where hundreds of inmates have died in clashes in recent years.

"The first 300 most dangerous inmates have been transferred to the Encuentro Prison," Noboa said on X, sharing photos of inmates sitting on the floor, wearing orange uniforms with their heads bare, surrounded by an aerospace. November 11th.

"Crimes want to challenge Ecuador and start its campaign. Today, Ecuador responded with action," he stressed.

This new facility has a capacity of more than 700 people. On the other hand, Ecuador's prison system is currently overcapacity of up to 30 percent, according to the national prison agency SNAI.

Earlier, at least 31 inmates were killed in clashes between the Los Lobos and Sao Box gang at Machala Prison, southwest Ecuador on Sunday.

The Sao Box gang is a splinter group from the Los Lobos gang that competes for control of prisons. Of the victims, 27 people were strangled by their opponents, according to government data.

Interior Minister John Reimberg said on Monday the clashes between gangs came after inmates found out they were about to be transferred.

This incident also occurred just days before the national referendum where Noboa was seeking voter approval for foreign military bases in Ecuador and to hold a panel to rewrite the constitution.

"The party is over for them, orders from prison to create violence and chaos are over," Reimberg told a radio station.

"Today they are in a cell designed to prevent them from making contact or communicating with anyone," he said.

It is known, during routine operations in 36 Ecuadorian prisons, authorities have seized firearms, ammunition, cell phones, ad chicken and pigs.