Good Friday rioting in Yare II prison ends in 12 dead and 30 wounded

<a href=www.vheadline.com>Venezuela's Electronic News Posted: Sunday, April 20, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

Venezuela's Yare II prison was rocked with serious rioting on Friday resulting in the death of 11 inmates and 34 wounded. According to prison authorities, the cause of the riot was infighting between gangs to gain control of prison racketeering and extortion. 

• Miranda State Firefighter chief, Benis de Lima says 10 inmates died inside the jail and 1 in hospital, 10 to 15 prisoners are in hospital in a critical state.  

Since Friday, Interior & Justice Minister General (ret.) Lucas Rincon Romero has confirmed a total 12 deaths and dozens of wounded, adding that the situation is under control. "There's a scarcity of prison guards throughout the prison system." 

The General has promised a thorough investigation to discover the causes. 

Las Ultimas Noticias supplies an answer to the General's question, stating that there are three gangs fighting for control of the prison. "Miranda State Judiciary Circuit president, Luis Guevara says the riot had nothing to do with complaints about delayed legal processes but infighting over transfers to other prisons, which started boiling over last Wednesday."