Bishops call for eradication of mafias inside Venezuelan prisons

In an official statement, the Prison Pastoral Delegation of Venezuelan Bishops' Conference (CEV) called for an investigation into the deadly events that took place in Uribana prison, northwest Venezuela, where some 58 were killed and another 120 were injured. It also urged the whole country to join efforts to tackle the critical state of the Venezuela's penitentiary system.

The delegation also expressed its condolences to the relatives of the victims.

They also reminded penitentiary authorities that the Venezuelan State's commitment could not be other but to guarantee life, freedom, justice, equity, solidarity, defense and the development of individuals and their dignities, the construction of a fair, peace-loving society, among other noble purposes set forth in the Constitution.

In this regard, for the sake of inmates, they asked authorities "to make every possible effort to eradicate mafias inside prisons. Such mafias are turning prisons into businesses involving arms, drugs, kidnapping, among other crimes leading to horrible situations such as that of Uribana (...) we also invite you (the authorities) to undertake efforts toward positive projects aimed at recognizing the rights of all citizens and institutions. By doing this, it will be possible to overcome the penitentiary crisis lashing our country", the statement read.