Deadly clashes between Ecuador prison gangs sees inmates decapitated

Aprisonriot has claimed the lives of at least 17 people with inmates left decapitated in their blood.

Drug gangs are continuing to fight in Ecuador with prisoners beheading rivals in the city of Esmeraldas, near the Colombian border. Shocking pictures which emerged on social media showed inmates lifeless on the floor, with blood on their corpses. Family members of the inmates rushed to SNAI prison this morning after it was announced the death toll climbed from 10 to 17.

"There are women here who have been asking after their relatives since 5:30am," one woman said as she stood outside. She raced to the prison after a resident told her they "heard shooting, they heard screams". She was left worried sick after she arrived at the jail and was told by soldiers to check at the morgue to see whether her loved one was dead or alive.

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The National Police warned the death toll could rise as they continue to recover bodies from the prison, reports CNN. In a statement, they said: “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. The appropriate authorities are conducting the corresponding investigations to clarify what happened. We will provide more details soon."

It comes after 13 inmates and a guard were killed in the southwest of the country on Monday. It has been reported that prisoners used explosives before several escaped from the facility. It remains unclear how many fled, but some were recaptured.

The latest riot adds to the toll of around 500 prisoners massacred in Ecuador since 2021. The country has been flooded with violence, with President Daniel Noboa earlier calling for the US, European and Brazilian armies to join his "war" against criminal gangs.

He stressed that international forces could help push for a crackdown on drugs. He previously told BBC News: "We need to have more soldiers to fight this war. Seventy per cent of the world's cocaine exits via Ecuador. We need the help of international forces."