Prison crisis in Ecuador worsens with explosion in Machala

Published at: 08/12/2025 11:22 AM

At least nine inmates died after an explosion occurred in the Machala prison, in the province of El Oro, in Ecuador. The incident came a few weeks after, on November 9, 32 inmates were reported killed in a confrontation between rival groups inside the same prison.

The National Service for Comprehensive Care for Adults Deprived of Liberty and Adolescent Offenders (SNAI) stated that it was in contact with the competent authorities to verify the circumstances of the event, without giving further details.

According to local press reports, the bodies were found on the first floor of the building, after a drone exploded nearby. It is suspected that the device was used to distract law enforcement and facilitate an escape or a new mutiny, although this version has not been officially confirmed.

According to what was published on the Telesur web portal, the prison crisis in Ecuador has persisted since 2021, with clashes that have caused the death of some 600 inmates. Added to the situation in Machala are the recent deaths in other centers, such as the Coastal Penitentiary in Guayaquil, where human rights organizations report deaths related to tuberculosis and malnutrition.

Mazo News Team