At least 13 inmates at a Venezuela prison , all of whom were on hunger strike , have died , according to the Ministry for Public Power of Penitentiary Services . Authorities said inmates at the prison became violent and started breaking down the walls and doors of the prison areas , with some breaking into the pharmacy . They proceeded to ingest multiple drugs , including antibiotics , antihypertensive drugs , anti-diabetic agents , anti-epileptic drugs , and alcohol ; intoxicating a group of about 145 prisoners who were treated by medical staff at the facility . The 13 deaths were as a result of ingesting drugs , the ministry statement said . The inmates , all housed at the David Viloria penitentiary center in Lara State , had started their hunger strike on Monday morning to demand the dismissal of an officer of the ministry , who they believed had been appointed director of the center . According to broadcaster Globovision , relatives of prisoners have camped out since Tuesday outside the detention center waiting for the Minister of Penitentiary Services Iris Varela to speak to them . The National Guard has been stationed outside the prison preventing access of media and family . Globovision also states that a total of 720 prisoners have been transferred to other prisons . However , families are still waiting for Varela to provide details of the transfer . According to the ministry , the David Viloria center is one of more than 70 new prison centers in the country . They were intended to phase out the old centers , which were plagued by deplorable conditions , lack of control , anarchy and violation of human rights .
At least 13 inmates die after trouble breaks out at a prison in Venezuela 's Lara State . About 145 inmates needed medical care after ingesting drugs from the prison pharmacy . Prisoners had been on a hunger strike since Monday to demand dismissal of an officer . Relatives of inmates are camped outside the detention center demanding information .