Five Guatemalans confirmed dead during riot at Tuxpan Cereso, Veracruz

XALAPA, Veracruz (apro).– Five Guatemalan citizens died and one more was injured during the riot that occurred on Saturday, August 2, in the Tuxpan prison, north of Veracruz.

Guatemalan consular authorities confirmed the identity of the victims and are working with the Mexican Foreign Ministry to repatriate the bodies.

The Guatemalan Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that, through its consulate in Acayucan, the identities of the five deceased have been verified. It also confirmed that a sixth Guatemalan citizen remains hospitalized after being injured during the incident.

The identification was confirmed by consular officials at the Tuxpan Prosecutor's Office. Guatemalan authorities are in contact with the victims' families to coordinate the repatriation process.

In addition, three other citizens of that country are being held at the scene, but were not injured.

The riot began on the afternoon of Saturday, August 2, at the Tuxpan Social Reintegration Center, following a confrontation between inmates allegedly stemming from extortion and assaults attributed to the criminal group known as Sombra.

During the riot, inmates set fire to various areas of the prison and maintained control for more than 12 hours. The situation was brought under control in the early hours of Sunday, August 3, by state and federal security forces.

Local authorities reported that the riot left eight people deprived of their liberty dead and ten injured, some with severe burns requiring transfer to hospitals in the northern region of Veracruz.

The National Human Rights Commission (CNDH) has requested that the Veracruz government implement urgent security and governance measures at the prison, given the violence and lack of control that were evident for more than half a day.