A violent altercation at El Litoral prison in Guayaquil, Ecuador, has resulted in the deaths of at least 15 inmates and injuries to 14 others. The Ecuadorean prison service reported that security forces regained control of the facility after the early morning clash, which is part of a troubling trend of violence within Ecuador's overcrowded and gang-infiltrated prison system. The prison has previously experienced deadly riots, including a significant incident in September 2021 that claimed over 120 lives. Authorities noted that police and military were deployed to restore order, while helicopters were seen overhead amidst growing concern from relatives outside the prison. The surge in prison violence is attributed to rampant gang activity, corruption, and insufficient state oversight, exacerbated by Ecuador's increasing drug trade. Investigations into the causes of the latest outbreak of violence are currently underway.