UN calls for swift action following deadly Venezuelan prison riot

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on Tuesday demanded that the Venezuelan government take immediate action to curtail the "alarming pattern of violence" at the country's prisons following a deadly riot in which the official death toll is still being disputed by NGOs and families.

At least 58 inmates were killed on Friday when authorities tried to inspect the Uribana prison, which is controlled by armed gangs, south of the city of Barquisimeto in an effort to confiscate weapons and drugs, a government official said. Inmates set fire to different sections of the overcrowded facility and begin shooting at their rivals, the source continued.

Crying family members gathered outside of the prison to find out whether their loved ones were among the victims.

"Urgent measures"

"We call for prompt and effective investigations into this incident," said OHCHR spokesman Rupert Colville at a press conference in Geneva. "We also call on the Venezuelan government to adopt urgent measures to ensure that conditions of detention comply with international human rights standards."

On Sunday, Iris Varela, minister of prisons, said that 58 people died in the uprising and 95 were wounded or injured. But family members and other observers believe that the number is higher. Quoting unofficial sources, the Caracas daily El Universal reported that more than 70 people were killed.

Families also complained that inmates were secretly transferred throughout Sunday to 19 different facilities across the country.

This was the fourth time in 18 months that the government of President Hugo Chávez has had to deal with a major prison riot, highlighting the overcrowding and corruption problems plaguing the country's penal system.

"It was nearly impossible to operate a penitentiary here given the level of violence. This is part of the corruption of some officials. We have opened battle lines against them," Varela said.