Gang fight in Guatemalan prison leaves 17 injured

An outbreak of violence in Pavon Prison on the outskirts of Guatemala City left 17 injured, the country's penal authority announced Wednesday.

According to the authority, two opposing gangs, the Mara Salvatrucha and the Paisas, savagely fought each other. The clash involved over 35 gang members, of which 17 were injured and transported to a public hospital in the city.

A government press release said the national police had intervened and detained around 20 prisoners, who were allegedly to blame for the outbreak of violence.

However, Guatemalan authorities flatly denied that this was a prison riot, dismissing it as a fight between gangs.

Pavon Prison houses 2,186 prisoners, most of whom are members of various gangs.

Source: XINHUA