Prisoners riot in Venezuela

Prisoners in the state of Barinas State, Venezuela, seized control of a detention center and launched a mass riot.

The unrest broke out on May 24, involving nearly 1,200 male inmates and around 100 female prisoners. Guards and military personnel were deployed to regain control of the situation. Reports also indicate that tear gas was used and shots were fired during the operation.

According to reports, the prisoners’ anger intensified after the appointment of the new director, Elvis Macure Guerrero. Inmates claim that violence, beatings, and aggressive searches increased under his leadership.

It is also reported that more than 120 prisoners were transferred to high-security isolation cells after his appointment.