Violence in Honduran prisons

Violence in Honduran prisons: at least 41 dead in a riot of women in a prison

At least 41 people were killed in a riot at a women's prison in Honduras on Tuesday.

It is understood that a fight broke out between rival gangs, after which one gang set fire to a cell.

Officials say the fire caused most of the fatalities, but some of the victims were killed.

The country's deputy security minister, Julissa Villanueva, declared a state of emergency and vowed to quell the violence.

He also authorized the "immediate intervention" of firefighters, police and military.

"Death will not be tolerated," Villanueva said.

President Xiomara Castro, who launched a crackdown on gangs last year, said on social media that she was "shocked by the monstrous murder of women" and would take "drastic action" in response. answer.

Ms Villanueva said investigations would be launched to prosecute "all those people in prison who are in collusion with organized crime".

Honduras is notorious for corruption and gang violence, which has infiltrated government institutions and seen the homicide rate soar.

Along with neighboring El Salvador and Guatemala, the country is an important transit route for cocaine from South America to the United States.

It also has a history of deadly prison riots, which are often linked to organized crime.

At least 18 people were killed in gang violence at a prison in the northern port city of Tela in 2019.