south-western Venezuela, the interior ministry said. The fights occurred during visiting hours on Saturday in the Santa Ana prison, in the province of Tachira.
Prisoners battled using guns and knives, said Interior Minister Pedro Carreno. He said however the national guard had regained control of the facility.
Carreno blamed paramilitary groups for the clashes, saying the state had been making huge efforts to maintain peace in the prisons "but a few organizations continue to provoke unrest."
The murder of the chief administrator of the Santa Ana jail and his deputy four months ago have also been blamed on paramilitary organizations.
