Series of deadly prison riots prompted concern from UN over “dire situation” in prisons; high levels of violence persisted in Guayaquil city.

Spate of deadly prison riots erupted between rival criminal outfits. Amid soaring levels of violence between rival gangs in Ecuador’s prisons, clashes 3 Oct broke out at Cotopaxi prison in Latacunga town (centre), killing at least 16 and injuring 43. According to national prisons agency, prisoners fought with guns and knives before guards managed to re-establish control. Leandro Norero, alias “El Patrón”, a money launderer, drug-trafficking financier and member of Los Lobos gang, was among those killed. Gang feuds in prisons persisted after Norero’s death, indicating changing alliances. Notably, prison clash 5 Oct at Guayas prison in port city of Guayaquil left at least 13 dead and 22 injured. Second riot at Guayas prison 24 Oct, reportedly between two opposing gangs clashing over prison control, killed one and injured two. UN torture prevention sub-committee 6 Oct expressed concern over “dire situation” and called on state to take “immediate and additional measures to tackle the country’s complex prison crisis”. As of end of Oct, over 100 inmates had been killed during prison riots in 2022.

Violent crime continued to plague Guayaquil amid calls for more resources to curb insecurity. Authorities 15 Oct ended state of emergency, imposed in Aug following escalation of violence in Guayaquil, and military departed city streets. However, violence persisted unabated. Notably, authorities 15-17 Oct recorded 15 violent deaths in city; Guayaquil and Durán cities 21-23 Oct reportedly experienced their bloodiest weekend of 2022 so far, with at least 21 murders recorded. Meanwhile, Guayaquil’s police force 14 Oct incorporated 1,564 new officers into its ranks as part of plan to add 30,000 new officers to National Police across three years. At ceremony, Interior Minister Zapata called on President Lasso for more resources to combat rising insecurity.

Bomb exploded in port city of Guayaquil, killing five and prompting authorities to impose state of emergency; negotiations between govt and Indigenous organisations stalled. Improvised explosive device 14 Aug detonated in Guayaquil, country’s second largest city and major trade hub, killing five and injuring at least 17. Attack, which authorities blamed on “criminal groups”, marked dramatic escalation of violence in city that has seen rising gang-related crime in recent months as groups fight for control over drug-trafficking routes. In response to explosion, President Lasso 14 Aug declared state of emergency in Guayaquil, sixth such emergency imposed to curb violence since he took office in May 2021. Interior Minister Patricio Carrillo same day called blast “a declaration of war against the state” by criminal gangs, while city’s mayor, Cynthia Viteri, wrote open letter to Lasso saying “criminal groups have become a government within a government in Ecuador”. Situation in Guayaquil epitomizes rising violence nationwide. Authorities as of 17 Aug recorded 2,593 homicides throughout Ecuador in 2022 compared to 2,471 in whole of 2021; media outlet Expreso 15 Aug reported that, on average, one person is murdered every two hours in Ecuador. Authorities 16 Aug said govt is developing referendum text with ten questions for public deliberation, focused predominantly on ways to address country’s security issues. Meanwhile, negotiations between govt and indigenous groups following violent anti-govt protests in June stalled. Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador, which spearheaded protests, 2 Aug presented proposal demanding govt set price controls on 44 essential goods, but little progress was made. Indigenous leaders 13 Aug said govt was not negotiating in good faith and lacked political will to advance negotiations.

Anti-govt protests spread across country, turning violent in some areas as demonstrators clashed with security forces. Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE) 13 June called for nationwide anti-govt protests, demanding President Lasso’s administration freeze fuel prices, declare moratorium on small farmers’ bank debts, and limit oil and mining expansion. Authorities 14 June arrested CONAIE’s President Leónidas Iza; released him next day. Protests 14 June began with peaceful roadblocks; CONAIE 15 June said over 9,000 protesters had joined roadblocks in 14 of 24 provinces. Violence however subsequently escalated; notably, after protestors 14 June tried to enter one of state-owned oil Petroecuador’s stations in Sucumbíos province, clashes with security forces erupted, leaving ten soldiers wounded. Govt 17 June declared state of exception in Imbabura, Cotopaxi, and Pichincha provinces; 20 June expanded order to Chimborazo, Tungurahua and Pastaza provinces in bid to curb demonstrations. According to interior minister, violent clashes 21 June flared in Puyo city between soldiers and demonstrators reportedly armed with guns, spears and explosives, leaving one protestor dead and six police officers wounded; govt said 18 more officers were missing following attack on police station in Puyo. Lasso 22 June claimed govt was ready for dialogue; Iza said talks were conditioned on state of emergency being repealed, which govt refused. Thousands 22 June demonstrated in capital Quito. Authorities 23 June said at least five people had died since protests began, with 120 police officers injured and over 100 detained. CONAIE and other organisations 25 June met with govt officials; Lasso 26 June ended state of emergency and cut fuel price by 10 cents per gallon; CONAI 27 June said price reduction was “insufficient and without guarantee”. National Assembly 25-26 June held two sessions to debate opposition’s proposal to remove Lasso from office; in vote held 28 June, 80 lawmakers voted for measure, 12 votes shy of 92 needed to ouster Lasso who clung onto power; govt same day called off talks after military accused protestors of killing soldier. Govt 29 June reintroduced state of emergency in four provinces, citing escalating violence, and agreed to talks mediated by Catholic church; parties 30 June reached agreement to lower fuel costs among other things, ending protests.

Authorities imposed state of emergency to address drug-related violence, and series of prison riots erupted. President Lasso 29 April declared 60-day state of emergency in Guayas, Manabí and Esmeraldas provinces, involving curfews and deployment of some 9,000 security forces, to address drug-related violence. This is second time since taking office last year, Lasso is using emergency powers to curb violence, while violent deaths and crimes allegedly connected to drug trafficking continue to rise. Notably, leadership dispute among prisoners 3 April sparked riot in El Turi prison, Cuenca city (south), which reportedly left over 20 inmates killed; prison riots also erupted in subsequent days, including 5 April in Latacunga, Machala, Esmeraldas and Santo Domingo cities, and 25 April in El Inca prison in capital Quito, which left 15 inmates injured. Ecuadorian court 22 April requested former President Rafael Correa be extradited from Belgium; move follows court’s eight-year sentence on Correa for bribery in 2020, and Brussels granting political asylum 19 April to Correa, who has been living in his wife’s native Belgium since 2017.

Tensions ran high as protests erupted over soaring fuel prices. Authorities 22 Oct announced 12% increase in fuel prices, said new prices will be frozen. Move aimed at appeasing growing social tensions over fuel prices, which in last year have risen by over 40%, however failed to contain indigenous groups-led protests. Thousands 26 Oct took to streets to protest rise in prices, calling for freeze at lower rates; Defence Minister Luis Hernandez same day said dozens arrested for blocking roads and at least five security forces injured. Main indigenous group 28 Oct suspended protests after govt’s invitation to negotiate. Meanwhile, President Lasso 18 Oct declared state of emergency for 60 days to address drug trafficking violence and prison insecurity; measure implemented amid rising homicide rates and following deadliest prison riot in years, which left over 100 dead in Guyaquil town late Sept.

Deadliest prison riots in country’s history broke out between rival gang members, while post-electoral tensions emerged. Violence overnight 22-23 Feb erupted between rival gangs in Guayaquil, Cuenca and Latacunga prisons, leaving 79 inmates dead and a dozen injured; riots reportedly part of gangs’ battle for leadership within prison system since killing of most powerful gang’s leader Jorge Luis Zambrano in Dec 2020. In response, authorities 23 Feb deployed hundreds of police officers and military personnel inside prison system and in following days reportedly regained control of all three facilities. President Moreno 24 Feb said violence was “orchestrated by those who are in dispute over leadership and drug trafficking across our national territory”, acknowledged prison overcrowding and announced that govt would seek international help to combat organised crime. Meanwhile, tensions mounted following 7 Feb presidential election. Preliminary results next day showed left-wing candidate Andrés Arauz, protégé of former socialist President Rafael Correa, leading with 32.7% of vote, but conservative candidate Guillermo Lasso and environmentalist indigenous candidate Yaku Pérez neck and neck in race for second round. National Electoral Council 16 Feb said it would not conduct partial recount of votes requested 12 Feb by both candidates; 21 Feb confirmed Arauz and Lasso will contest run-off vote scheduled for 11 April. Hundreds of indigenous protesters 23 Feb converged on capital Quito in support of Pérez and to demand recount.

Following violent protests over planned fuel price hike in Oct which govt was forced to withdraw, National Assembly 17 Nov rejected President Moreno’s proposed tax and monetary reforms, aimed at reducing fiscal deficit; International Monetary Fund 27 Nov backed amended version of tax and monetary reforms.

Twelve days of mass protests sparked by President Moreno 3 Oct removing $1.3bn fuel subsidy shuttered much of country and, according to public prosecutor’s office, left some eight dead with over 1,500 injured and police arresting 1,192. Following removal of subsidy, demonstrators 3 Oct shut major roads in Quito and smaller cities, leading to some looting. Moreno 3 Oct declared state of emergency, while country’s largest indigenous movement Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE) 5 Oct declared its own state of exception and announced permanent national mobilisation against govt. Govt 6 Oct temporarily moved capital to Guayaquil on coast. Moreno 7 Oct accused former President Correa and Venezuelan President Maduro of fomenting unrest with “destabilisation plan”. After another massive march in Quito on 9 Oct, organised by CONAIE and trade unions, Moreno returned to Quito and offered concrete dialogue process mediated by the UN and Catholic Church; Moreno 14 Oct repealed decree. CONAIE 23 Oct announced pause in talks, alleging govt “persecution” of its leaders. Inter-American Commission on Human Rights visited country 28 Oct-1 Nov to document potential rights abuses during protests, meeting with CONAIE and civil society groups.

Thousands rallied for and against President Correa mid-Sept in Quito, after a protest called by largest trade unions federation; at least 15 police wounded, several protesters arrested, of whom 53 remain detained. President Correa 23 Sept forced to reshuffle cabinet due to unexpected resignation of minister of defence.

Attorney General Galo Chiriboga 9 July highlighted ongoing security crisis in northern provinces bordering Colombia during meeting with security agencies, reported homicide rates far exceeding national average in San Lorenzo, Esmeraldas province, and Putumayo, Sucumbíos province.