SUMMARY

On 3 January 1994, seeking vengeance for the recent killing of one of their members, the Sabaneta - Re-education sector gang attacked the Sabaneta - Pavilion I gang in Sabaneta prison in Maracaibo, Venezuela.

Shots were fired from the Re-education sector against the Pavilion I sector between 10:30 and 11:00, which caused the Pavilion I sector inmates to seek refuge in their cellblocks and lock the gates with padlocks. The Sabaneta - Re-education sector gang threw homemade firebombs into the cellblocks where fire erupted quickly because of the overcrowded conditions in the prison. Trapped, the Pavilion I sector inmates sought to escape the flames but Sabaneta - Re-education sector gang members shot or stabbed the Sabaneta - Pavilion I gang members and other who managed to escape from the cellblocks. At least 127 inmates were killed by shooting, stabbing, asphyxiating, decapitation or burning. The death toll is based on the remains that were found, however, some bodies burned to ashes and several body parts that were found in the aftermath could not be identified. The prison guards and the National Guard refrained from entering the prison housing building during the attacks.

Following the attacks, the prison director was removed and two warrants were issued. One, against another top official in charge of the prison and the other, against the official in charge of the National Guard. Both of these officials had been delegated with the provisional responsibility of their corresponding institutions on the day of the attack.