In Venezuela, Prison Assault May Spur Wider Instability

Heavy automatic gunfire and at least 30 explosions reportedly began at 7:55 a.m. May 17 at La Planta prison in Caracas, Venezuela. The reports follow a 21-day standoff between Venezuelan security forces and prisoners, and it appears that the Venezuelan National Guard has launched a full assault on the prison to end the deadlock.

The assault will likely result in significant casualties at the prison and could affect the entire city's security situation. Venezuelan prisoners are typically well armed, and they have plenty of reasons to fight any attempt by authorities to move them to different locations. In addition, family and friends of the inmates who moved to the area during the standoff could wreak havoc throughout the city, which would complicate the security effort both at the prison and in the city as a whole. Security forces were also forced to shut down all access points to the prison, including the Francisco Fajardo Highway, which is a critical route through the capital.