Historical eventFebruary 232021

February 2021 Ecuadorian prison riots

Riots in four Ecuadorian prisons, caused by gang rivalries, resulted in the deaths of 79 inmates.

5th anniversary in 2026

Everything on February 23Original source

In context

When
Tuesday, February 23 20215 years ago
Category
Historical eventA dated happening — a battle, treaty, launch, discovery, disaster or decision — recorded on this calendar day.
Era
21st century · 2020s
Anniversary
5th in 2026
Recorded from
Wikipedia “On this day” feed

At a glance

Dates: From 2021-02-23.

Place: Litoral Penitentiary, Ecuador.

Type: prison riot and massacre.

What came before

Part of: Ecuadorian security crisis.

Background According to officials, the riot began as several rival prison gangs were fighting for leadership and they clashed inside detention centers around the country. Authorities claim that the fight for leadership began back in December when Jorge Luis Zambrano "Rasquiña", leader of Los Choneros , the most powerful gang within Ecuadorian prisons, was murdered in a shopping mall in Manta, Ecuador , a few months after being released.

What happened

Casualties Early reports confirmed that at least 50 inmates were killed following the violence. 800 police officers were required to quell the violence. Some photographs and videos were spread on social media which showed the inmates decapitated and dismembered in pools of blood. [ 1 ] On February 24, the death toll of the inmates increased to 79. [ 2 ] ^ "Dozens dead after Ecuador prison riots sparked by gang fights and escape bid" . The Guardian . Associated Press. 2021-02-24 .

Response Ecuadorian President Lenin Moreno declared a temporary state of emergency in the prison system, in order to control the prison violence. [ 1 ] In the wake of the clashes on 28 September , Ecuador planned to pardon up to 2,000 inmates. [ 2 ] November 2021 riots at Penitenciaria del Litoral Riots on 13 November 2021 at Penitenciaria del Litoral, on the outskirts of Guayaquil , led to at least 68 deaths and 24 injured. [ 3 ] ^ "62 Inmates Dead In Ecuador Prison Riots" . NDTV .

Riots in four Ecuadorian prisons, caused by gang rivalries, resulted in the deaths of 79 inmates.

February 23 through the years

Other entries on the same calendar day, in order.

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  8. 2019Atlas Air Flight 3591
  9. 2020Murder of Ahmaud Arbery
  10. 2021February 2021 Ecuadorian prison riots
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Everything we record for 2021 →

Sources

Cite this page

“February 2021 Ecuadorian prison riots”, What's On This Date, https://whatsonthisdate.com/app/event/february-2021-ecuadorian-prison-riots-2021-february-23, accessed October 27, 2026.

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Questions about this entry

When did February 2021 Ecuadorian prison riots happen?

February 23 2021 — 5 years ago, on a Tuesday.

Where does this text come from?

Wikipedia “On this day” feed. Summaries are short adaptations that link back to the source, not reprints.

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