Venezuelan troops, prison inmates in standoff over weapons

By the CNN Wire Staff
June 18, 2011 3:50 p.m. EDT

Caracas, Venezuela (CNN) -- A standoff was brewing at a Venezuelan prison complex Saturday where armed prisoners were refusing to negotiate with the government, which was prepared to send troops in to disarm the place.

Two Venezuelan national guardsmen and one prisoner were killed as authorities worked to re-establish control at the Rodeo I and Rodeo II prisons in the northern state of Miranda, officials said.

After speaking with prisoners, Venezuelan Justice Minister Tareck El Aissami said the leaders inside remained hostile and refused a government intervention, the state-run AVN news agency reported.

Of the 1,000 prisoners housed inside Rodeo II, it was a group of 50 who were causing problems, he said.

El Aissami called for dialogue, but said the prison would be disarmed, one way or another.

"Our actions will never be to violate the human rights of the prisoners, they always are to safeguard lives and peace," he said.

Already from Rodeo I, authorities had seized seven rifles, five shotguns, three carbines, one submachine gun, 20 hand guns and four revolvers, National Guard Gen. Luis Motta Dominguez said, according to AVN. They also found 91 clips and eight hand grenades.

The troops recovered more than weapons from Rodeo I. Motta Dominguez said 45 kilos (99 pounds) of cocaine, 12 kilos (26 pounds) of marijuana and 100 cell phones were also seized.

The operation comes a week after 22 people were killed as a result of a riot in Rodeo I.

Shooting could be heard outside the Rodeo I after nearly 5,000 forces, including the guardsmen, were ordered by the government to enter the prisons to clear it of weapons Friday.

Family members of inmates gathered outside the prison complex and feared the worst as blasts could be heard from inside Rodeo I Friday.

"How many dead will emerge? Until when?" said Ely Davila. "Listen! Those are not fireworks. They are shooting, and they are not shooting at each other. That is the National Guard."

But authorities repeatedly said that the rights of the prisoners was being protected, and as of Saturday there was only one inmate death reported.

"We reiterate our call to the families of the prisoners to understand that this operation is not to massacre their relatives but to save their lives," Vice President Elias Jaua said.

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