Minister Varela: 58 people were killed in prison riot in Venezuela

Iris Varela, the Venezuelan Minister of Penitentiary Services, said that 58 people died at Uribana jail. She also reported that there were 95 wounded, 49 of whom have been discharged.

During a press conference held at the jail located in Lara state, northwest Venezuela, the official said that the prison, opened in 1999, was fully evicted for repairs. She added that the prison will be reopened as a medium and minimum-security prison.

The number of inmates in Uribana prison was 2,003 men and 132 women. Varela denied claims that the National Guard had opened fire at the facility.