In a violent outbreak at a prison in southern Mexico, a total of seven inmates lost their lives during a riot sparked by inmates resisting transfers to different facilities. This clash involved the use of firearms and knives against law enforcement officers, resulting in injuries for four police personnel as well as six additional inmates. The disturbance occurred in Villahermosa, the capital of Tabasco, a state along the Gulf coast.

State police head Víctor Hugo Chávez reported that early in the day, when officers attempted to relocate two high-risk inmates to a federal prison, they were met with gunfire. One inmate reportedly held out with a firearm for approximately three hours, supported by 20 fellow prisoners during the standoff.

It remains unclear whether police fired back at the inmates. Nevertheless, Chávez commented, “Authorities have to act to defend their own lives, too.” The chaos also led to numerous fires erupting within the prison, while outside, agitated relatives gathered, anxiously awaiting news about their incarcerated loved ones.

After several tense hours, authorities successfully regained control of the prison. In the aftermath, a search revealed an arsenal of weapons, including an assault rifle, five handguns, a hand grenade, 23 machetes, 14 knives, and 23 makeshift shivs. The sources of these weapons within the prison remain unexplained, shedding light on the ongoing issues of corruption and inadequate security within Mexico’s penal system. In some of its facilities, criminal gangs have been known to dominate their environments, extorting protection money from fellow inmates.

President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that an investigation would take place to determine any potential collusion in the outbreak and to evaluate the appropriateness of the police operation that uncovered the weapons in the facility.