A prison riot in Machala, Ecuador, between rival gangs Los Choneros and Los Lobos left 13 inmates and a guard dead, with 14 others injured and some inmates escaping.

The 40-minute clash involved guns, bombs, and grenades, highlighting the country’s overcrowded, gang-controlled prisons.

Ecuador has seen a surge in violence, with prisons under military control since January 2024 and homicides rising sharply, CBS News has reported.

The unrest follows the recapture and extradition of top drug lord Adolfo Macías, and recent attacks on prison officials underscore the ongoing lawlessness linked to the drug trade.