Ciudad Juarez, Mexico: Authorities reported that a prison attack in Juarez, Mexico, left 19 people dead and allowed a cartel boss and twenty other inmates to escape.
Defense Minister Luis Crescencio Sandoval claimed at a news conference that an armed group attacked the prison and the municipal police station almost simultaneously while travelling in armoured vehicles.
Authorities claimed that the attack on Sunday morning happened as people were getting ready to visit on New Year's Day. Initially, they claimed that at least 14 people had died, but by Monday, according to Sandoval, that number had risen to 19—10 guards, seven prisoners, and two assailants.
Also Read: Indian-American Democrat Juli Mathew takes oath as Texas county judge
Ernesto Alfredo Pinon de la Cruz, also known as "El Neto," was one of the 25 prisoners who managed to escape due to the assault. Security Minister Rosa Icela Rodriguez stated at the press conference that Pinon is a key gunman for the "Los Mexicles" cartel, which has its headquarters in Juarez.
To keep the unrest under control, federal authorities were contacted. According to Rodriguez, who criticised the Chihuahua state administration, they later discovered a "VIP zone" with drugs and cash inside the state-run prison.
Also Read: Lula da Silva sworn in as Brazil’s president
Because federal authorities cannot intervene in these situations, Rodriguez said, "that is the state's responsibility." She continued by saying that state officials had not asked that any dangerous inmates, like "El Neto," be moved from the overcrowded prison to a higher-security facility.
In response to the attack, state authorities would "completely clean out the penitentiary system," according to state prosecutor Roberto Javier Duarte, who also promised that those found guilty of corruption would face legal action.
Also Read: What connection is there between winter storms and climate change?
One of the highest numbers of deaths from prison attacks in Mexico in recent years were caused by the incident on Sunday.
