Venezuelan gov't: Inmates' human rights are respected as never before

Venezuela's Penitentiary Affairs Minister Iris Varela said on Wednesday that the Government has taken responsibility for the riots that took place on Friday in Uribana prison, northwest Venezuela, where 58 people were killed and over 100 were injured.

The official rejected criticism by opposition leaders, who called for her resignation. Valera said that under the leadership of President Hugo Chávez the human rights of inmates and their relatives are respected as never before.

"We have always faced our responsibilities," the minister said, adding that she was upset by the fact that the opposition beat their breasts claiming they cared about the casualties of the Uribana prison riot.

She stressed that the Government is taking full responsibility and claimed that the opposition cannot claim the moral high ground in telling the Government what to do. "As always, we are here in the worst circumstances; we are facing a very difficult situation," Varela remarked. 

The minister pointed out that not all Venezuelan jails are going through a difficult situation. "They (dissenters) want to dismiss the substantial progress made in the transformation of prisons and in disarming inmates."  

Twitter: @ocarinaespinoza

Translated by Jhean Cabrera