Five inmates died after a riot occurred in a maximum security prison in Venezuela, in an event that has generated complaints of opacity by non-governmental organizations and opposition leaders, such as Henrique Capriles, while the authorities report on the start of an investigation.
First modification: 04/22/2026 - 18:33
A fight between inmates led to a riot. The Ministry for the Penitentiary Service of Venezuela reported that on Monday, April 20, a dispute occurred between people deprived of liberty at the Yare III Capital Region Penitentiary Center, located in the state of Miranda, which later led to a revolt.
It is a maximum security establishment intended, according to authorities, for leaders and members of criminal gangs.
The authorities identified the deceased as Keivin Matamoros, Eliecer Córdaba, Erkin Ramos, José Andrade and Jean Carlos Jiménez.
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NGOs and Venezuelan opposition denounce opacity and demand answers
Likewise, they indicated that the Public Ministry began an investigation to determine the exact circumstances of the event.
Before the official confirmation, the Venezuelan Prison Observatory (OVP) had warned about an irregular situation inside the prison and denounced the suspension of family visits without explanation.
The organization also reported the presence of ambulances and rumors about possible transfers or an alleged mutiny. In a video released by the OVP, relatives of the inmates demanded information shouting: “We want a visit!”
In addition, the NGO criticized the lack of official information and pointed out that the uncertainty kept relatives in a state of anguish.
Following the complaints, the Public Ministry appointed a commission to clarify what happened and guarantee the rights of the population deprived of liberty in the penitentiary center.
However, so far, authorities have not offered additional details about the circumstances of the riot or the current situation inside the prison.
For his part, opposition deputy Henrique Capriles denounced that "opacity" persists around the riot and demanded the reestablishment of family visits.
"What happened in Yare III is a tragedy that cannot be forgotten. There are entire families living a distressing wait. They need information from their relatives! More than 24 hours after the Prosecutor's Office announced an investigation, the opacity persists. It is urgent that the right to visit be restored so that relatives can remain calm," said the opponent on his social networks.
"We demand speed from the Public Ministry and from the Ombudsman's Office to assume its constitutional duty to protect human rights; they should be accompanying the relatives of the inmates. Why hasn't this happened? Silence cannot become the official response to citizen desperation," he added.
In his opinion, both institutions should be accompanying the relatives of the inmates.
"Why hasn't it happened? Silence cannot become the official response to citizen despair," he stressed.
Capriles maintained that the State is responsible for the lives of people in custody and demanded greater clarity about what happened. He also questioned the lack of institutional support for the inmates' families.
The leader stated that this case represents an opportunity for institutions to demonstrate with actions their commitment to human rights and transparency.
With EFE and local media
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