Two violent clashes at Machala Detention Center in southern Ecuador left at least 31 inmates dead, with officials reporting that 27 died of 'asphyxiation.' An early assault by a Sao-Box breakaway faction targeted Los Lobos, and later a reprisal allegedly killed 27 inmates sharing cells. Authorities and forensic teams remain on site to verify the circumstances; the prison killings add to a nationwide wave of violence that has claimed more than 500 inmate lives since 2021.
At Least 31 Inmates Killed in Machala Prison Clashes; 27 Reportedly Died of 'Asphyxiation'
Two violent clashes at Machala Detention Center in southern Ecuador left at least 31 inmates dead, with officials reporting that 27 died of 'asphyxiation.' An early assault by a Sao-Box breakaway faction targeted Los Lobos, and later a reprisal allegedly killed 27 inmates sharing cells. Authorities and forensic teams remain on site to verify the circumstances; the prison killings add to a nationwide wave of violence that has claimed more than 500 inmate lives since 2021.
05:37 AM, 11/11/2025Security
Deadly Gang Clashes at Machala Detention Center
Two violent confrontations between rival gangs at the Machala Detention Center in southern Ecuador left at least 31 inmates dead on Sunday, officials said. Authorities reported that 27 of the dead apparently died from 'asphyxiation', though the exact method has not been confirmed.
Interior Minister John Reimberg told Radio Centro Ecuador that an early-morning strike by a breakaway faction known as Sao-Box targeted members of the criminal group Los Lobos, killing at least four inmates and wounding about 36 others. Two officers sustained minor injuries while security personnel moved in to restore order.
Later the same day, Reimberg said, Los Lobos carried out a reprisal against Sao-Box members who shared several cells with them. Prison guards discovered 27 bodies during routine inspections at about 6 p.m., and forensic teams remain on site.
"In retaliation, Lobos asphyxiated members of the other organization to avoid leaving signs of violence on their bodies," Reimberg said.
Ecuador's penitentiary agency, SNAI, earlier issued a statement saying the inmates had 'committed asphyxiation among themselves, which resulted in immediate death by suspension.' The agency has not clarified whether that language refers to hanging, strangulation, or another form of asphyxiation. Operational teams and forensic medical personnel are still verifying the facts.
Asked why rival gang members were housed together, Reimberg explained that Sao-Box was originally part of Los Lobos before breaking off over internal disputes; he did not explain why they continued to be held in close proximity after the split. SNAI said the initial attack was prompted by transfers of inmates to a new maximum-security facility, and Reimberg suggested that disturbances elsewhere reflect resistance to such moves.
Broader Context
The Machala incidents are the latest in a prolonged wave of deadly prison violence in Ecuador. Officials report that since 2021 more than 500 inmates have died across the country's penitentiary system. The surge in killings has continued despite deployments of police and military forces and the government's declaration in January 2024 of an internal armed conflict to try to curb nationwide criminal activity.
U.S. authorities have moved to designate some Ecuadorian criminal groups, including Los Lobos, for enhanced sanctions and intelligence-sharing measures, a step intended to support Ecuadorian efforts against organized criminal operations. Investigations into the Machala deaths are ongoing, and authorities expect forensic work and interviews to clarify the circumstances and methods of the reported asphyxiations.