Venezuela prison riot kills 9 inmates, injures 20

updated 5:07 p.m. ET March 22, 2008

CARACAS, Venezuela - A prison riot between rival gangs left nine inmates dead and 20 injured, Venezuelan media said Saturday.

The fighting began Friday morning when gunfire broke out in the San Fernando de Apure lockup in central Venezuela, according to the Caracas-based El Nacional newspaper.

The uprising was controlled with the help of more than 100 national guard and police agents, it said.

Like in many other countries in the region, violence is common in Venezuela's overcrowded and understaffed prisons.

Of the country's nearly 20,000 inmates, about 500 were killed and more than 1,000 wounded last year in riots and other violence, according to the Venezuelan Observatory of Prisons watchdog group.

More from msnbc.com The recession is slowing in these 23 cities Which leader has a wandering eye? Take our quiz Elkhart Project Blog: We're at the county fair More personal stories of struggle and recovery  Stimulus spending faces red tape bottlenecks CQ: GOP decides 'it's the economy' in 2010

MORE FROM AMERICAS

Americas Section Front

Were Chinese agents at Gitmo? Aide: Ousted Honduran leader going home Mexico sends 1,000 police to drug area   Cruise killing: Husband to appear in court Cartel’s revenge escalates Mexico drug war Honduran interim leader may step down Newsweek: Outrage over Honduras smacks of hypocrisy U.S. set to boost military role in Colombia 2 missing boys found in Bahamas Tropical Storm Dolores forms; Carlos weakens Americas Section Front   Add Americas headlines to your news reader: