Venezuela prison riot kills dozens

Dozens of others were also injured in the riot that began during an alleged escape attempt, National Assembly representative for Portuguesa Maria Beatriz Martina told CNN. Martinez said a grenade exploded during the attempted escape, causing injuries to at least one officer.

The prison’s director, Carlos Toro, is among those injured, according to the non-governmental organization Venezuelan Prisons Observatory, which works to improve human rights for prisoners, according to its website.

Martina tweeted that the riot “is a clear reflection” of Venezuela’s failed state. She also criticized Venezuela Minister of Penitentiary Affairs Iris Varela’s prison human rights reform plan.

CNN en Español’s Osmary Hernandez in Caracas and Stefano Pozzebon in Bogotá, Colombia, contributed to this report