[ "On 24 May 2026 a confrontation at Barinas’ Judicial Detention Centre, known locally as Injuba, turned violent when inmates staged a rooftop protest against new management and reported mistreatment. The protest included burning mattresses and chanting demands, after which additional security personnel were deployed to the facility.", "Witnesses in the prison and surrounding area said they heard explosions and that inmates claimed they were fired upon. Video footage shared by the Venezuelan Prison Observatory showed groups of prisoners on the roof and a man presenting visible wounds while shouting that forces were shooting at them.", "The organization, which tracks prison conditions in the country, reports that inmates have been raising concerns for over a week about the new director’s policies, including allegations of violent searches, solitary confinement and other forms of mistreatment.", "Neither the prison director nor the government of interim President Delcy Rodríguez have released statements on the incident, leaving the situation largely unaddressed by authorities. The protests, however, are echoed by several NGOs that routinely highlight sub‑minimum standards and complaint of torture and torture‑like measures within Venezuelan jails.", "The episode comes amid a wider context where, following the U.S. seizure of former President Nicolás Maduro in January 2026 and ensuing pressure, hundreds of political prisoners were released, yet a report by Foro Penal still notes that more than 400 detainees remain incarcerated. Human‑rights bodies and the United Nations’ High Commissioner for Human Rights have also reported continuing allegations of abuse, pointing to a broader pattern of treatment issues in Venezuelan detention facilities." ]}