What has been recorded in Ecuador in recent days has already been renamed as the worst massacre in the prison history of Latin America. 118 inmates have died - 6 have been beheaded - in the clashes in Guayaquil prison since Tuesday and only last night did the police regain control of the facility.

"Everything is calm, the detainees are in their cells," said police commander Tannya Varela, addressing the press after the operation which involved 900 officers, two of whom were injured.

Tanks and soldiers have been positioned around the prison, and there are many relatives of prisoners waiting for news of their loved ones.

The clashes had started when gang members were celebrating the birthday of one of their leaders and bragging about controlling the prison, thus unleashing the fury of rival organizations in the other wings of the building. For the Prosecutor "the struggle for power inside the prison and the authorities' intention to transfer the heads of criminal organizations to other prisons in the country were the triggers".

(Unioneonline / ss)