MEXICAN BORDER PRISON ATTACK LEAVES 14 DEAD, DOZENS ESCAPE

Mon 02 January 2023:

At least 14 people have died in riots in a prison in the Mexican city of Ciudad Juarez across the border from El Paso, Texas, with 24 inmates managing to escape, media reported.

According to Mexican newspaper Milenio, the incident occurred on Sunday when an armed group attacked the prison to free some of its inmates.

As many as 10 security guards and 4 prisoners have been killed, and 24 people have managed to escape, the report added.

Prosecutors initiated an investigation.

Later Sunday, Mexican soldiers and state police regained control of the jail. The state prosecutor’s office said that its personnel were investigating the matter. El Paso Times reported that Mexican soldiers and state police were deployed Sunday after the prisoners escaped from the Cereso No. 3 state prison in Juárez. Following the incident, authorities have been placed on “maximum alert.”

Shortly before the violence in the prison on Sunday, municipal cops were attacked. They managed to capture four men after a pursuit, the state prosecutor’s office statement said. Two alleged gunmen traveling in a SUV were later killed by cops.

Last year in August, a gang-related brawl at the same prison turned into a deadly violent episode, known as “Black Thursday.” At the time, as many as 11 died amid “narcoterrorism.” There were seemingly random shootings in public, gas stations were set on fire and streets were blocked. Due to safety concerns, schools and businesses had to close early back then. Inside Mexican prisons, gangs often work for drug cartels.

Back in August, two inmates were killed inside the prison and then alleged gang members started shooting up the town. It led to death of four employees of a radio station who were doing a promotion at a restaurant.

Violence happens frequently in Mexican jails, including in some prisons where authorities maintain only nominal control. Clashes regularly take place among inmate of rival gangs.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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