This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-24135414

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Sixteen killed in Venezuela prison violence Sixteen killed in Venezuela prison violence
(about 1 hour later)
At least 16 prisoners have been killed in violence inside a jail in the western Venezuelan city of Maracaibo.At least 16 prisoners have been killed in violence inside a jail in the western Venezuelan city of Maracaibo.
Fifteen inmates died in fights between rival gangs, Prisons Minister Iris Valera said. The other victim was killed in a separate incident. Fifteen inmates died in fights between rival gangs, Prisons Minister Iris Varela said. The other victim was killed in a separate incident.
Some of the inmates were beheaded and others dismembered, pressure group Venezuelan Prison Observatory told AFP news agency.Some of the inmates were beheaded and others dismembered, pressure group Venezuelan Prison Observatory told AFP news agency.
Prisons in the country are heavily overcrowded.Prisons in the country are heavily overcrowded.
Ms Valera said all the victims identified so far were "people with some kind of negative leadership in some part of the prison". Ms Varela said all the victims identified so far were "people with some kind of negative leadership in some part of the prison".
She called for an end to the violence, which began on Monday night. "We don't want even one more death. Enough of violence," she said.She called for an end to the violence, which began on Monday night. "We don't want even one more death. Enough of violence," she said.
The Sabaneta jail houses nearly 4,000 people, five times more than its capacity. It is Venezuela's second-largest jail.The Sabaneta jail houses nearly 4,000 people, five times more than its capacity. It is Venezuela's second-largest jail.
The Prison Observatory says more than 500 people die in jail violence every year in the country.The Prison Observatory says more than 500 people die in jail violence every year in the country.