In a horrifying incident at a women’s prison in Honduras, at least 41 women lost their lives on Tuesday, with most succumbing to burns inflicted during the violent riot. President Xiomara Castro attributed the chaos to the notorious “mara” street gangs, known for their significant influence within penitentiaries.
According to Yuri Mora, the spokesperson for Honduras’ national police investigation agency, 26 victims were burned alive, while others were shot or stabbed at the Tamara prison, located approximately 30 miles (50 kilometers) northwest of the capital, Tegucigalpa. Seven injured inmates were receiving medical treatment at a hospital in Tegucigalpa.
Mora stated, “The forensic teams, while removing bodies, have confirmed a count of 41 victims.”
Government-released video clips from inside the prison revealed the discovery of several handguns and a pile of machetes and other bladed weapons following the riot.
President Castro condemned the incident, declaring that the riot was “planned by maras with the knowledge and acquiescence of security authorities.” She expressed determination to take decisive action in response to the tragedy.
Inmates associated with the feared Barrio 18 gang reportedly stormed a cell block, attacking fellow inmates through shootings or setting them on fire. Relatives anxiously gathered outside the morgue in Tegucigalpa, awaiting updates on their loved ones. They disclosed that inmates had previously expressed fear of the Barrio 18 gang.
Johanna Paola Soriano Euceda, who anxiously awaited news about her mother and sister, shared their accounts of living in constant fear due to ongoing conflicts with Barrio 18 members. She mentioned that they had spoken on Sunday, saying, “They (Barrio 18 members) were out of control, they were fighting with them all the time. That was the last time we talked.”
Concerned and distressed, another group of relatives congregated outside the prison located in a rural area, about 20 miles (30 kilometers) from the capital. Salomón García, whose daughter is an inmate, expressed anguish, stating, “We are here dying of anguish, of pain… we don’t have any information.” Azucena Martinez, whose daughter was also held in the prison, shared the deep uncertainty and worry, “There are a lot of dead, 41 already. We don’t know if our relatives are also in there, dead.”
J ulissa Villanueva, the head of the country’s prison system, suggested that the riot erupted due to recent efforts by authorities to crack down on illegal activities within prisons. She referred to Tuesday’s violence as a reaction to the measures taken against organized crime and assured the public that they would stand firm.
The gangs hold significant control within Honduran prisons, often enforcing their own rules and engaging in the trade of prohibited goods. The incident highlights the persistent issue of smuggling guns and weapons into the facilities, a recurring challenge faced by the authorities.
This riot represents a tragic episode in Central America, potentially marking the deadliest incident at a female detention center since 2017 when a fire set by girls protesting mistreatment at a Guatemalan shelter claimed the lives of 41 girls.
Honduras also faced a devastating prison disaster in 2012 when the Comayagua penitentiary fire resulted in the deaths of 361 inmates, possibly caused by an open flame.
