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At least five inmates lost their lives on Monday following a violent uprising at the Yare III maximum security prison, located approximately 70 kilometres from Caracas.
According to a statement released by the Ministry of Penitentiary Services on Tuesday, an initial altercation between prisoners rapidly escalated into a full-scale riot.
While the ministry has identified the deceased, officials have not yet disclosed the total number of injuries resulting from the chaos.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office has launched a formal investigation into the incident, which underscores the persistent volatility within Venezuela’s penal system.
The country’s prisons have long been criticised for severe overcrowding and a lack of official oversight, often allowing powerful criminal organisations to seize internal control.
The Yare III facility specifically saw an influx of inmates in 2023 following a military operation aimed at reclaiming several of the nation’s primary correctional centres.
This tragedy occurred during a period of significant political transition in Venezuela.
Following the ouster of Nicolas Maduro in January, the new administration, which receives support from the United States, has begun reviewing the status of those held within the Yare complex.
Just last week, it was confirmed that at least 46 political prisoners associated with the oil sector were released from the facility as part of the country’s ongoing political shifts.
