Honduras militarizes main prison after deadly riot
Honduras' president orders militarization of country's main prison after riot leaves 3 dead
8/3/2013TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras — Honduran President Porfirio Lobo has ordered the militarization of the country’s main prison after a riot there left at least three gang members dead and three guards injured.
Lobo said in a statement today that the aim of the measure, which involves putting soldiers in charge of the prison’s security, is to “end the rein of criminals in our prison system, which has done so much damage to our society.”
Police spokesman Miguel Martinez said members of the 18 gang clashed with common criminals in Honduras’ National Penitentiary, which houses 3,351 inmates and is located 10 miles (15 kilometers) north of the capital, Tegucigalpa.
The director of penitentiaries Simeon Flores said that three gang members were killed in the riot and nine injured. Three guards were injured by gunfire.