At Least 22 Killed In Venezuela Prison Riots

Bloody riots at a Venezuelan prison descended into a gunfight between thousands of troops and inmates, after violence that left at least 22 people dead.

A least one soldier was killed as members of the National Guard stormed armed convicts at El Rodeo I jail, while another 19 were wounded.

It came after a riot at the facility earlier in the week left 21 inmates and a visitor dead - among a series of violent outbursts in Venezuela's severely crowded and gang-ridden prisons.

Troops used tear gas and a water cannon to keep relatives of inmates back from the jail following the latest disturbance, as ambulances emerged to carry out those injured in the clashes.

Vice President Elias Jaua confirmed the death of the soldier, but did not mention any fresh casualties among the inmates.

Deputy justice minister Nestor Reverol told state television that some of the troops were shot with high-powered weapons.

"Part of those who are incarcerated have resisted," he said, adding that they were in a prison tower and had refused to come down.

A military helicopter circled overhead, while a fire broke out in a prison tower before dying down.

Mr Reverol said: "We can't permit anarchy in the penitentiary. We demand the inmates change their attitude."

He said more than 3,500 troops took part in the operation at the prison in Guatire, east of the capital, Caracas.

He added that about three-quarters of the prison population of more than 5,000 inmates had been brought under control.

The violence broke out as troops were carrying out a search operation to disarm inmates, according to prison officials.