Trouble in Venezuelan Prison, 37 Dead

At least 37 people were killed during a riot at a prison in southern Venezuela, prosecutors say.

Interior Ministry Special Forces were sent to regain control of the prison in Puerto Ayacucho, the capital of the Amazon State.

Witnesses reported shooting for several hours, and State Governor Librio Guarula called it a <x0masacre”

Prosecutors said 14 officials were injured during the violence.

Two prison monitoring groups, “Windows for freedom” and “Venezuelan Prisons Observatory” said 37 dead were all prisoners.

There were 105 persons inside the prison at the time of the riot.

Many Venezuelan prisons are understaffed and are actually run by prisoners' gangs. / KP/